The Night Everything Burned

The moon hung heavy over the Furyu village, its pale light casting a silver sheen over the rooftops. Wooden homes nestled beneath the shadow of the eastern mountains, their windows glowing softly with lantern light. A cool breeze stirred the air, carrying the delicate scent of blooming camellias—the flowers his mother loved most. It was a night like any other. Peaceful. Ordinary.

Yet something felt… wrong.

Renn Furyu stood at the edge of the village, his bare feet brushing against the cool grass. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the wooden practice sword strapped to his waist. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day—his first lesson with his father. He had spent countless nights imagining it. His father’s steady hand guiding his form. His mother’s gentle laughter as she reminded him not to swing too hard. It was all so close—so real.

A small, hopeful smile tugged at his lips. For now, all was right in the world. But then—something changed. The breeze shifted, sharp and cold, cutting through his skin like the edge of a blade. The warmth of the village seemed to fade away, replaced by a heavy weight pressing against his chest. Renn’s breath hitched. It felt as though the air itself had grown sick. Unnatural.

Then, the first scream shattered the night.

His heart seized in his chest. It wasn’t the sound of playful mischief or a startled villager—it was raw, filled with terror. More voices followed, rising and twisting into a chorus of panic. Somewhere nearby, steel clashed against steel.

Renn’s blood ran cold. What was happening? 

Without a second thought, he ran. His legs pounded beneath him as he raced toward the heart of the village, the wind whipping against his face. The scent of camellias faded—replaced by something far darker. Smoke. Blood.

When he reached the village square, his world crumbled. Fire engulfed everything.

The once-quiet village was a battlefield. Homes burned like funeral pyres, their timbers groaning as they collapsed into embers. Flames licked the sky, casting twisted shadows across the ground. Bodies lay scattered—neighbors, friends—people he had known his entire life. Some still stirred, others… did not.

And in the midst of the carnage were them—armored figures moving with ruthless precision. The Bushi.

Their swords, crackling with eerie blue light, cut down anything in their path. They were supposed to be protectors—warriors who kept balance by hunting malicious Asura. So why were they here? Why were they slaughtering the innocent?

Renn’s hands curled into trembling fists. This had to be a mistake. His father had always said their clan wanted peace—they didn’t hurt humans. Why would the Bushi attack them? 

A fragile, familiar voice pierced the chaos.“Renn!”

His heart stopped. Koki.

He spun toward the sound, his chest tightening as he spotted her. She lay trapped beneath a broken wooden beam, her small frame trembling as tears streaked down her soot-covered face.

“Koki!” He sprinted toward her, dropping to his knees. "I’m here—I’ve got you!" His fingers curled beneath the splintered wood, the rough edges biting into his skin. Muscles burned as he heaved with everything he had.

The beam shifted—just enough. Koki gasped as Renn pulled her free, gathering her trembling body into his arms. “You’re safe now,” he whispered, though the words felt hollow. Nothing was safe. Not anymore.

“I’m scared…” her voice cracked, fragile and small. “I know,” he choked out. “We’ll find Mother and Father—they’ll stop this.” But even as he said it, his heart filled with dread.

A roar echoed across the battlefield, drawing his gaze to the village gates. There—standing like a titan—was his father. Shinji Furyu.

His silver hair, streaked with blood, caught the firelight. His golden eyes blazed with fury as his blade carved through the attacking Bushi. Beside him, Osaki Furyu, his mother, moved with terrifying grace. Fire coiled around her hands, a brilliant and deadly flame as she cut down anyone who dared approach.

Even surrounded, they stood unyielding—protecting the few villagers still alive.

At the front of the chaos, two figures faced each other. Shinji Furyu and Yoshiro Akakawa—the head of the Bushi.

“I trusted you,” Shinji spat, his voice trembling with restrained rage. "For years, we lived in peace! Why are you doing this?"

Yoshiro’s face remained hidden behind his crimson mask, but there was no joy in his stance—only cold duty. His sword glowed faintly, the power of countless yokai swirling through its steel.

“We found the bodies, Shinji,” Yoshiro said, his voice heavy with anger. “Villages—entire families—slaughtered. And the markings… They bear the signature of your clan’s spiritual energy.” Shinji’s eyes widened in shock. "Lies. The Furyu Clan would never harm innocents!"

Yoshiro’s hand trembled on the hilt of his sword. "I wanted to believe that. But the evidence…" His voice softened, but only slightly. "It led us here."

"You’re being used," Shinji growled, his rage flaring anew. "Someone is twisting the truth—and you’ve walked right into their trap."

 A chilling laugh echoed through the air. From the shadows stepped a pale figure—an Asura unlike any Renn had ever seen. His long black hair flowed like ink, and his lips curled into a cruel smile.

"You humans," the dark Asura murmured, "are so easily fooled. "Shinji’s face darkened. "Kokui…" The realization hit Renn like a thunderclap. This Asura—this Kokui—was behind everything. But it was too late.

Yoshiro raised his blade. "I cannot take that risk. For the safety of the world, the Furyu must fall."

Shinji’s voice shook with fury. "Then you’ve condemned us all." A final, brutal clash filled the air.

Renn’s mother turned toward him. Her golden eyes, wide with fear, locked onto his. “Renn—take Koki and run!” His breath caught in his throat. Run? How could he leave them?

“I—I can fight!” His voice cracked, desperation cutting through his fear.“ No.” His father’s voice softened, filled with a terrible sadness. “You must live.” A piercing light flared as his mother unleashed her power in a desperate, final surge—just as a blade pierced her side.

“Mother!”

A second blade fell. His father’s roar faded into silence.

And just like that—they were gone.
Something inside Renn broke.
A scream—raw, inhuman—ripped from his throat. His vision blurred red as rage crashed through him, consuming everything. Power surged through his veins, wild and uncontrollable.
“You…” His voice was low and deadly, barely human. “I’ll kill you all.”

He never saw Koki slip from his arms. Never noticed the dark Asura’s smile widening. All he knew was pain—and fury.

By the time the fires died, nothing remained of the Furyu Clan.

And from that night on, Renn Furyu lived for only one thing—vengeance..