The wasteland stretched endlessly, its cracked earth whispering stories of the forgotten. In this barren world, two figures walked side by side—Rei, a boy with a cursed mark, and Aiden the Unchained, a former warrior whose past was hidden behind his quiet gaze.
For years, Rei had watched Aiden wield his Soulbrand with effortless grace. The elder warrior's blade was not just a weapon but an extension of his soul, forged from his very essence. Every warrior could manifest their Soulbrand into a form unique to them—yet Rei, despite his countless attempts, had never been able to summon his own.
Tonight, that would change. Or so he believed.
They stood before a rusted anvil, an old relic from a time when the wastelands had known life. Aiden handed Rei a battered training sword.
"Try again," Aiden said, voice calm but firm.
Rei gritted his teeth, gripping the hilt. He had seen warriors mold their Soulbrands into blades, bows, and axes. He had dreamed of the day his own power would take shape. Closing his eyes, he willed his soul to flow through the weapon, to make it an extension of himself.
The sword quivered. For a brief moment, Rei felt something—an energy, a spark. His heartbeat quickened. Was this it? Was his Soulbrand finally awakening?
Then—CRACK!
The sword shattered in his hands, the metal splintering into a thousand useless shards. Silence filled the air.
Aiden's eyes darkened. "Again," he ordered.
Rei tried another sword. And another. Each one ended the same way—broken, rejected, destroyed.
Aiden finally spoke. "Your soul refuses to reflect."
Rei's fists clenched. "What does that even mean?"
Aiden didn't answer immediately. He looked toward the horizon, where the sun was dying behind mountains of ash. His expression was unreadable. "A warrior's Soulbrand is their essence given form. It takes what's inside them and manifests it into a weapon. But your soul…" He turned back to Rei. "It refuses to take shape. It rejects the sword."
Rei felt something sink in his chest. "So… I'm broken?"
Aiden studied him for a long time, then sighed. "Not broken. Just… different."
Rei scowled. Different. The same word people used before throwing him away. He wasn't different—he was useless.
He turned away, frustration boiling inside him. Before he could respond, a low growl echoed through the wasteland.
Rei froze. Aiden's body tensed. The wind howled as a shadow slithered between the jagged rocks.
Then, from the darkness, two glowing eyes emerged.
Something massive lurked in the ruins ahead. Its breath was heavy, like a beast that had been waiting for its prey to wander too close.
Aiden reached for his weapon. "Stay behind me."
But Rei didn't move. His fists tightened. The sword had rejected him, but that didn't mean he was powerless.
For the first time in his life, he would fight his way.