In the farthest reaches of the Kingdom of Valtheria, past the towering castles and bustling marketplaces, lay the Outer Districts—a place where the kingdom's less fortunate resided. Nobles and royals seldom ventured there, save for clandestine visits to brothels or rare business affairs. Amid the narrow alleys and aged brick homes, a boy named Ryusei Kuriyami called this place home.
Ryusei, a youth of sixteen years, possessed a distinct appearance. His brown skin set him apart in the kingdom, and his black, spiky hair bore striking red streaks that cascaded over his forehead like bangs. He wore a simple yet commanding outfit: black pants, sturdy boots, and a black dress shirt, layered beneath a long, dark coat adorned with gold accents and intricate designs, its sleeves always rolled up to his elbows.
Raised by his uncle, a Makai Knight, Ryusei was trained from childhood in the ways of the Makai Order, an ancient sect dedicated to hunting down and purifying Horrors—malevolent entities that preyed upon humanity. His uncle wielded the Gaia Armor, a legendary set of red armor passed down through generations of knights. From the moment Ryusei could walk, he was taught the principles of swordsmanship, alchemy, the art of purification, and magic.
Magic was a common force within Valtheria, and many of its citizens possessed varying affinities. Ryusei discovered at a young age that he had a strong affinity for both Fire and Lightning magic. However, his elements manifested in an unusual way: his fire burned an eerie green, and his lightning crackled a deep crimson red. His uncle ensured he trained just as rigorously in magic as he did in combat, forging a perfect balance between the two disciplines. Ryusei mastered channeling his elements into his strikes, enhancing his attacks with blazing flames and electrifying energy, making him a formidable opponent.
At sixteen, Ryusei received his first true weapon: a wakizashi with a crimson handle and golden engravings along its blade. With it came the Madou Ring, Zaruba, a sentient artifact forged to assist Makai Knights in their eternal struggle against Horrors. But the greatest gift of all was the ability to summon his Garo Armor—a golden wolf-shaped suit of armor, revered as the most powerful among the Makai Knights.
His first mission came swiftly. The Makai Order assigned him to track and eliminate a particularly dangerous Horror lurking near the kingdom's borders. Using Zaruba's tracking abilities, Ryusei followed the dark aura of his quarry, leading him to a desolate village where bodies lay scattered, their souls consumed by the creature's insatiable hunger. The sky above was stained crimson, a clear sign of the Horror's corruption.
The beast emerged—a monstrous, twisted form, its darkened flesh pulsating with malevolence. Ryusei gripped his wakizashi, his stance steady as he faced his first true test. The battle was ferocious; the Horror was fast, strong, and relentless. Though Ryusei's training served him well, he soon realized that his blade alone would not be enough.
Summoning his power, Ryusei swung his sword in a circular motion above his head, etching a radiant golden magic circle in the air. The sigils ignited with light, and within an instant, the Garo Armor materialized around him. The once-simple blade expanded into a broad sword, its golden handle gleaming as runes pulsed along its surface. Now clad in the legendary golden armor, Ryusei charged forward, his movements faster, his strikes sharper, his presence overwhelming.
With a powerful slash, he cleaved through the Horror, its shriek echoing through the night before its form disintegrated into light. The battle was won, but Ryusei knew this was only the beginning. The world was vast, filled with magic, adventure, and lurking darkness. And as a Makai Knight, it was his duty to walk the path of gold, wielding the power of Garo to protect humanity from the abyss.
His journey had only just begun.