There lies a massive continent in the east that boasts nations of great cultural and political power. It is rich in resources, beauty, and opportunities. Known to the some as the birthing ground of the gods, to others as a divine haven that the gods have conjured for humankind, the land is worshipped by all who live in it as a holy place that connects mankind with the divine realm. This continent is known as Adata.
Adata borders the great Vermillion Sea to the east and southeast, the tropical Origin Sea to the southwest, and the salty Dry Sea to the northwest. To the west, Adata borders another continent with which it rarely shares its bounty and culture. Along the Vermillion Sea lie various islands that are recognized as belonging to the continent despite their detachment. The continent is split into five dominions: the Northern Tribes, the Eastern Kingdoms, the Southern Nation, the Western Domain, and the Central Empire.
The Northern Tribes are a confederacy of previously nomadic peoples who have settled in the great Barren Berth, the name of the great desert that stretches throughout the north and borders the Dry Sea. Despite being a confederacy, they recognize a sovereign-like ruler over them. This ruler is elected from the dominant tribe and is given the title of Sikal. The Sikal is the god-chief of the Northern Tribes and is responsible for protecting the people and leading them towards the heavenly path of the gods. Other leaders from the other tribes form the Council that act as advisors to the Sikal; they are also responsible for governing their own respective tribes under the authority of their great leader.
The Eastern Kingdoms are a confederacy of three ancient kingdoms that grew out of a once dominant empire. The empire was established by three separate but closely related civilizations—the ancestors of each of the three kingdoms today. The three kingdoms are the Kingdom of Shan, the Kingdom of Gobul, and the Kingdom of Yato. Each of these kingdoms have their own distinct culture, but their close proximity to each other makes it easy for them to exchange cultural information and develop a united culture that allowed them to create a strong and resilient alliance. Each kingdom has their own kings and government, but the closeness with which they work together has given rise to a system of check-and-balances between the three monarchs to ensure the equal statuses of the three kingdoms with one another.
The Southern Nation is a united sovereign nation that is comprised of three major kingdoms and smaller vassal chiefdoms. The nation is split into three recognized regions that are each governed by one of the three major kingdoms: the Hiatai Kingdom in the West, the Davida Kingdom of the East, and the Akam Kingdom of the Center. Together, the three monarchs form a triumvirate that share equal power over the governance of the Southern Nation. The region is home to dense jungles and the people have lived alongside the wild beasts of their land since ancient times.
The Western Domain, unlike the three regions before, are a loose coalition of independent kingdoms with their own territories and identities. Culturally, they share many similar customs and practices, which can be traced back to the various empires that once reigned over the land that their current kingdoms now govern. Still, each kingdom is steadfast in maintaining their independence from one another and refuses to lose their established identity. The kingdoms that rule the Western Domain are Vedaka, Mesa, Urul, Boddai, and Siddat.
The Central Empire, also known by its name: Chirokai, is situated in the center of Adata and borders each of the other dominions. It is a landlocked empire, yet its influence stretches throughout the entire continent. The Central Empire is the dominant power in all of Adata and each of the other nations and kingdoms recognizes its power. Many of the kingdoms and nations of Adata have been made tributaries to the empire. Despite its political and economic authority over all of Adata, the Central Empire shares a very deep and personal relationship with each of the other four dominions.
The empire was once neutral land between the ancient empires that once ruled each of the four dominions and no human have settled it before. In fact, because of its status as a pure land that had not been touched by humans, people of the ancient empires have attributed divine status to the land and claimed that it belonged to the gods. And because of this, the empires agreed to never shed blood on the land and made a rule that it belonged to no one but the gods.
For centuries, the land was untouched and the other empires, in spite of the wars they waged with one another, always steered clear of spilling blood on the land. This all changed when the desperate need for resources forced one of the ancient empires to break this pact. The land was rich in many resources and there was no doubt that the riches were enough to create a powerful empire. However, perhaps due to not wanting to anger the gods anymore than they already had, the empire did nothing more than take what they needed. Eventually, trading routes began to be established through the land as knowledge of its resources spread and merchant cities were being born. The empires saw nothing dangerous with this act and it allowed them to engage in trade and become closer than before.
But the ugliness that is human greed soon showed its face. New rulers took to the throne and alliances were made to take advantage of the land. Powers opposed each other over ownership of the land and war broke out. Blood was being spilled upon the holy land, yet none of the rulers minded. It wasn't until a magnificent event, one that have lived on in history as mythic reality, put an end to it all. Four of the greatest warriors of that time, one from each of the four empires, came together after witnessing a lightning strike in front of each of them while in their separate camps. Taking the sign as a holy omen, the four warriors issued a treaty and their empires were forced to recognize it lest they want to draw the ire of the gods. This was the beginning of Chirokai, the Central Empire.
The four warriors came together to establish what would become the greatest empire in all of Adata. They used their knowledge of their own empires to build a brand new nation with the aim of creating a paradise for all. By combining and integrating the different cultures of Adata, the Central Empire grew to become a domain where everyone can live freely. The Central Empire's political, economic, social, and philosophical systems drew from the cultures of the four domains. As such, the Central Empire's own cultural identity grew out of centuries of integrating and innovating the cultures of those ancient empires. It eventually culminated in the birth of a unique identity and culture that soon grew to influence the entire continent of Adata.
The Central Empire is ruled by an emperor. The emperor belongs to a royal dynasty and can trace their lineage back to the four founders of Chirokai. They rule from the capital of Chirokai, Dokan, which is also the largest and richest metropolitan city in the entire empire and possibly all of Adata. The Central Empire is the center of trade in Adata and most of its economical strength comes from trading with the other kingdoms. It is also the leading producer of metals and minerals and has a strong manufacturing sector; agriculture and tourism are also important markets for the nation.
The language of the Central Empire is called Chisei. It was created by the four founders as an international language and has roots in the languages of the ancient empires during that time. With the influence that the Central Empire now has, Chisei has become a true international language that is spoken in all of Adata.
But there is one other thing that originated in the Central Empire that has also become a major practice in Adata: the concept of Duelists (Chidaoyin). Initially created by the four founders as a title granted to high ranking members of the royal guards, it eventually grew to become a profession that any one can become as long as they are proficient in martial arts. In fact, a Duelist is simply a martial artist. Duelists come in all forms, and there are mainly five general types that are recognized by the martial arts community: Warrior (Kaokaiyin), a Duelist who becomes a soldier to protect the nation (military warrior) or a member of any martial arts sect (sect warrior); Sage (Taiyin), a Duelist who devotes their life to achieving enlightenment and/or salvation through self-cultivation and other religious practices; Magician (Yumayin), a Duelist who is well-versed in the mystical side of martial arts; Vigilante (Nokiyin), a Duelist who is driven by righteousness and acts outside of the law; Hero (Hiayin), a Duelist who is dedicated to helping others in need in the name of justice—the most prestigious type of Duelist and the most coveted.
The martial arts in question is the great martial art of Chidao. Chidao is an ancient martial art with no specific origin. It evolved out of the many martial arts styles and practices of the ancient empires of Adata. The name Chidao itself means "the way of Chi", the universal force that permeates through reality, and has come to mean the same thing as martial arts. The practice of manipulating Chi already existed since ancient times throughout all of Adata, though it may have been in different forms depending on location. It is one of the only concepts that all of Adata mutually share.
Now that introductions are out of the way, it is time to dive into the story of one of greatest Heroes in the history of the Central Empire. This story is about a boy who, in a world filled with legendary Duelists, strive to become the best Hero he can be. Revenge, betrayal, friendship, love, morality…his adventures are filled with trials and tribulations that will test his resolve to become a true Hero and the bonds he makes with friends and rivals along the way. He will discover what it means to be a Hero and a savior of others. He will learn to find his place among the many extraordinary Heroes that already exists. He will become a legend among legends.