The War Begins

— Just what is the meaning of this, huh?!

The fury in Akashi’s expression—usually so serene—was palpable. On the palms of his hands, the marks of a dragon and a wolf glowed vividly, burning with magical energy. The Mediator hadn't explained this before. And now, it was too late.

In that sunset of crimson skies, the crowds gathered in the square stirred in a sea of voices and confusion. A deadly game, featuring five-on-five battles, would decide the fate between Callus and Artoria. But what was supposed to be a draw between warriors of the two kingdoms... had extended beyond them.

Because Akashi wasn't the only one.

Kaira and Maki had also been marked. 

And that silenced the people.

Shocked the kings.

And set tempers ablaze.

— Well, it is what it is. — the Mediator said with a dismissive, almost bored smile. — You were selected for the War Game. Simple as that.

He twirled his finger in the air as if explaining the weather forecast.

— Ah... of course, I forgot to mention: participants from outside the two worlds have freedom of choice. That’s why you guys received both marks. Dragon or Wolf. Callus or Artoria. It’s up to you to decide.

— Tch!

Akashi clicked his tongue, his anger swallowed by something deeper. It wasn't the lack of answers that bothered him.

It was who had been dragged into this.

— Even if that’s the case—...

— Why did you mark her too?! — Maki exploded, cutting Akashi off with a scream.

Her eyes burned with fury. Her clenched fists trembled. It wasn't just frustration. It was revolt. It was despair.

Meanwhile, Kaira only watched in silence, her silver eyes shimmering, the marks pulsing on her delicate hands.

— A child... — Maki whispered, as if swallowing the words. — You marked a child...!

The Mediator sighed like someone who had seen the same scene a thousand times.

— Heavens... such drama.

He made a gesture with his hand, as if waving away smoke.

— Like I said: everyone can participate. Potential, instinct, and strength. Age, gender, race, sexuality, hair color, or your goddamn planet doesn't matter. — He paused, leaning in slightly, and whispered with a cynical smile. — The Game makes no moral distinctions.

— But she’s just a child, goddammit!! — Akashi roared, stepping forward with flaming eyes. — You call yourself a Mediator and send an untrained girl to a battlefield?!

The silence that followed was cutting. In the crowd, no one dared to interrupt.

Kaira, finally, lowered her gaze. Not out of fear. But out of doubt.

— M-mm...

Because, even without knowing how to fight...

She had felt it.

The mark chose her too.

And now, there was no going back.

The Mediator raised his eyebrows at the explosive reaction of those present, and then, with the naturalness of someone playing checkers on a rainy afternoon, turned his gaze to the makeshift thrones at the back of the square, where the two kings watched everything.

— So... Your Majesties. — he said, his tone polite, almost mocking. — What do you think of this? Should we remove the girl from the selection? Cancel the game because a child was involved?

The silence stretched for moments. The crowd watched, waiting. Akashi too. Maki kept her fists clenched, and Kaira remained silent, her eyes locked on the two leaders.

It was Rigel, the King of Callus, who stood up first.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with hair as black as darkness and a stern gaze, Rigel looked like a living wall—but even he hesitated.

— There's no need to cancel the game... but I cannot say I approve her participation... — his voice echoed firmly. — Callus was built on sacrifice, and I know the weight of war.

He stared at Kaira for a moment, and something soft passed through his eye.

— But... for now... we are not the ones who choose the rules of this game, are we? — he replied, his voice heavy, as if something was being contained inside his chest. — If a superior force selected the participants, even those from the outside, then it is up to us to respect it or rebel...

He paused, and then finished with calculated coldness:

— But I am not the one commanding the battlefield now. Not anymore. I have entrusted that leadership to another.

"This is absurd..." an old woman in the crowd said.

"And what about the Emperor?" a young merchant questioned.

All eyes turned to the throne beside him. There sat Antares, Emperor of Artoria. His face was severe, but it bore the marks of pain and responsibility. His blue eyes—with pupils shaped like something similar to a sun, like ancient fire—burned as he stared at the Mediator.

The emperor stood up.

— A child being called to war is the clearest sign that we have already passed the limits of reason. — His voice was calm, yet sharp as ice. — But I have learned the hard way that the world doesn't care about what is fair.

He looked at Akashi, then at Kaira. And then at Rigel.

— As the king said, we are no longer the generals of this battle, but mere expectators. Those who were chosen... now carry the same responsability. — Antares crossed his arms. — I regret it. But I will not intervene.

The Mediator smiled widely, satisfied with the answers.

— Look at that... so mature, so understanding. — He spun on his heels and turned his gaze back to Akashi and the others. — And you? Any more complaints? Any tantrums to offer before the game truly begins?"

Akashi didn’t answer.

— Tch!

"And they call themselves leaders of entire planets?", Akashi thought, as his teeth gritted. 

His gaze flared, his fists trembled slightly. Maki growled in frustration but fell silent, and Kaira just watched him with wide eyes. The tension between the three was palpable—but they knew that protesting there would be in vain.

The silence lingered for an instant, until the Mediator puffed with a bored air.

— Tsk... such a lack of spirit. But fine. — With a light snap of his fingers, he pointed disdainfully toward a dark corner of the square. — At least he didn't complain. He's in the same boat as you.

The words, launched like a dart, made Akashi immediately turn his face to the indicated spot. There, shrouded by the shadows cast by the great columns of Callus's architecture, someone stepped forward.

Slow, controlled steps. The sound of a cloak dragging across the floor resonated slightly, like the whistle of an omen.

The man emerged from the gloom.

His left eye was silver, while the right was reddish with a black globe. A pinkish lock of hair fell over his left eye, and his mere presence seemed to make the air heavier with the smallest gesture. His calm face was almost mocking.

— Hm. — He just nodded slightly, as if confirming the Mediator's words. — Tell me, what comes next?

Akashi froze.

His eyes widened for a moment. The world seemed to tilt slightly, as if the weight of that presence pushed him back. Had he... been there this whole time?

But Akashi said nothing.

He just swallowed hard and maintained his silence. Because something in his soul knew: this was not the moment to confront him.

Not yet.

— To start, I need you four to tell me... which side do you intend to support?

The Mediator's question sounded like muffled thunder, reverberating through the walls of the square.

Silence fell like a heavy curtain. Even the wind ceased.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on them—the four "outsiders." The man in the black cloak remained silent, arms crossed and countenance unshakeable, watching the chaos around him as if it didn't concern him. Kaira looked away, restless. Maki huffed, clenching her fists, but she wasn't the first to speak.

Gaze turned to Akashi.

The weight of expectation was crushing. The crowd didn't dare to breathe. Even the kings, even the Mediator himself... waited for that man's answer.

Yet Akashi said nothing.

For long seconds, he just stared at the ground before him. As if searching for something. As if fighting an internal war.

His eyes slowly closed.

— Callus or Artoria... Neither of them extended a hand to us regarding Kaira. Neither could even complain... Both are willing to use us as weapons in this sick game. But running away is not an option. Not anymore. If I enter this game, I can see if I can get something from the participants... memories, perhaps...

He remembered Kaira clutching his clothes in fear. Maki's anger, wanting to protect. That square consumed by anguish. And the look of the man in the tower... in the first moments of the meeting, shrouded by darkness. The same one who now shared the same fate as them.

Akashi raised his eyes, his expression hardened like steel.

The breath of the people seemed to catch in the air. The world waited.

And then, the answer came:

— ... Callus.

The word was simple. Solid. But it carried an indescribable weight.

The people reacted as if they had been struck by thunder—gasps, whispers, relief, and tension. Some looked at each other in confusion. Others with joy. But no one dared to interrupt that moment.

The Mediator broke into a wide smile.

— An important step. And the others...?

With Akashi's answer, any other choice by his group was already expected. Therefore, without any surprise in his reddish eyes, the Mediator only watched as Kaira raised her right hand—the mark of the Ancestral Dragon shined on her palm with a soft glow, confirming her decision.

— I'm so sorry for getting you into this, Kaira. I was planning to leave you at the inn before we leave for battle...  

Akashi's voice came out in a low tone, whispered with regret. He looked down at her like someone carrying the weight of an inevitable mistake, the shadow of a silent guilt. But the girl only smiled. A small, innocent smile... as if saying, without words: "It's okay."

That was enough.

Then...

— I don't want to be an enemy of my new friends, ya know... as it seems, the only way is to go to Callus too, huh? — Maki murmured, letting out an irritated sigh. Her eyes stared at the crimson sunset sky. — Yeah, I'm joining Callus.

Akashi looked at her, and this time there was no hesitation on his face—only firmness. Maki returned the look, giving a half-smile.

— We just do it like we talked before, right?

— Mhm. — Akashi nodded with a slight movement of his head.

The Mediator, maintaining his slightly mocking air, just turned his body toward the last piece on the board. His eyes met the dark man, who was already stepping forward.

— And you, my friend?

The man didn't hesitate for a second.

— Artoria.

His voice was direct, dry, loaded with something dense. The smile that drew on his lips next seemed more like a dark rift than a common expression.

— And I'm making it clear right now that I don't give a damn about the reasons for this war. But I have a wish, and that's why I decided I'm going to participate in this... Everything else doesn't matter to me.

He raised his chin slightly, the aura around him rippling almost imperceptibly.

— Anyone who crosses my path... will be crushed.

The silence that followed was icy. No one dared to comment. Rigel and Antares themselves looked at each other in silence, cautious before the young man's threatening tone.

The Mediator, for his part, just opened a wide smile, satisfied with the spectacle he himself had provoked.

— Very well, Your Majesties. Then it's decided. These are the players. The game...

Slowly opening his arms, raising the palms to the sides, the man said. In the background, the square's bells rang. Long. Funereal.

"...has begun." He pronounced. And in that instant, the sky trembled.

"So... It has begun..." murmured a cream-haired little girl, breaking into a long, almost enchanted smile.

"What is coming nex––..."

Before the green-haired man could finish his question, his body simply disappeared.

Each person's mark glowed intensely. A beam of light enveloped each warrior—each in their own color. One by one, they were plucked from reality, like pieces chosen by invisible hands.

— Ngh!

In the final seconds before disappearing, Kaira ran and grabbed Akashi's leg tightly.

— Huh?! Kaira!

— Ak...!

 The instinctive gesture caught the young man by surprise, and he lowered his eyes just in time to see his body being consumed by light—along with hers.

The War Game had begun.

△▼△▼△▼△

Silence. Darkness.

The entire world seemed to cease to exist for a few moments, before everything simply be painted before his very eyes. 

— H-hnm... what was that...?

The weak voice echoed along with the subtle sound of leaves swaying. Slowly, Akashi Taiga's eyes opened, revealing blue and crimson irises under the shadows of the treetops. One hand went to his forehead—his mind still processing if he was awake... or dreaming.

But there was no doubt. The world around was real.

The smell of damp grass. The stifling heat of the environment. The breeze carrying dust and life. Dense trees, plants of vibrant tones, the ground of orange grass and golden moss. It wasn't Callus. Nor Artoria. It was a neutral field. A natural game board created for a battle that would decide the fate of two worlds.

— Ak!

A high-pitched and sweet voice caught his attention, seconds before a small body wrapped him in a tight hug.

Kaira had been sent to the same place. Her silver eyes shone with relief at seeing him. Immediately, she hung on his neck with a surprisingly high jump, light as a feather. He didn't move, just smiled subtly, and ran his hand through the girl's blue hair with affection.

— That's good... we managed to stay together. I'm glad you're okay, little one.

— Uh-huh!

She nodded, letting go and falling softly onto the green grass. She soon put her hands behind her back, watching him closely—waiting, as always, for his next decision.

Before that, Akashi looked around cautiously.

— It seems like Maki isn't with us. That's not good.

He remembered: everyone disappeared one by one in the beams of light. It was natural that they were scattered, isolated for the start of the game. But... why was Kaira with him?

His gaze turned to her, confused.

— Hmmm... why are you with me...?–– oh! Yes, I remember now. 

But the answer came fast—like a click. A memory:

That moment.

The touch.

Kaira grabbed his leg before the transport. Perhaps... physical contact was what prevented them from being separated.

— Hmph... so this "game" allows you to pull someone along, huh?

He sighed, observing the dense forest in front of him. It was only the beginning.

The Battle Royale of the kingdoms had begun.

And the first piece... was about to move.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the forests, skies, valleys, and mountains of that mysterious environment.

"Hello? Hello! Can everyone hear me, huh?"

A brief silence followed.

"Great! As promised, I will explain the rules of this wonderful little game we've prepared. Pay close attention, because I won't repeat myself."

That voice continued with the same ironic and calm tone, as if explaining the rules of a school scavenger hunt—and not a game of death.

"First rule: you are now in a special field, separated from conventional reality. I created it myself, so... welcome. In this space, everyone is under the effect of something I call the Limiter. This means your powers have been leveled proportionally to each other. Each of you is operating within a balanced percentage of your own potential. Ah... and try not to fall off the edge... or you won't like it."

Akashi narrowed his eyes. Kaira looked at the sky, worried.

— Is this serious? 

"Second: there is what I've named the Time Period. It works based on the local diurnal cycle. At the tolling of the sunset, sunrise, and nightfall bells... something special begins."

His tone got a bit more excited—or sadistic.

"Third rule: at the start of each Time Period, one of you will be randomly chosen to suffer the effect of the Berserker enchantment. That’s right! You will temporarily go insane and receive a monstrous power boost. But... like any good curse, you might end up killing your own allies. This state lasts about twenty minutes. And yet, someone can go and knock you out of it with some luck. After that, everything returns to normal—until the next toll."

— Berserker enchantment? So, based on the time period of the day, someone is getting a huge power boost... this leaves the others with a great disadvantage. This is dangerous.

As the voice explained, Akashi quickly resume everything for both Kaira and him—a guarantee that he got everything right. Yet, wasn't anything too hard, even for his slow brain.

"Fourth: you are free to kill each other at will. No impediments. In fact, I recommend you do it creatively."

Kaira shuddered at the naturalness in his voice.

— E-eh?!

—... as expected. Still, don't worry, I won't be killing before your sight, actually, I wish to not even have to.

The simple idea of killing was already dangerous, but doing it before Kaira’s eyes is something that Akashi wouldn't never do. Not only for empathy, but because he knows exactly what it could cause to her mind — being so young, and already having to deal with corpses and violence... 

— ... I can't allow this.

"Fifth rule: the side with the most survivors at the end wins. If by chance you take too long to take someone down... let's say two little hours... then I'll give a little push myself. Literally."

— He intends to enter on the game just to kill someone? You damn sadistic...

His voice echoed inside his own mind, as Akashi clenched his fists in pure outrage. 

"And finally, sixth: this island is quite large, full of resources and interesting areas. Using this to your advantage can be the difference between winning and dying stinking in the mud."

A brief pause.

"Those are the rules. Simple, don't you think? So... Good luck! And may the dragons, wolves, gods, or even demons help you—because I won't."

The mental connection ended.

And, for the first time... true silence fell over the forest.

△▼△▼△▼△

Back at the square, the crowds and both kings remained perplexed and anxious about what would come next.

But there was a question.

— How will we follow the battles? I want to see how things unfold. — Antares uttered, watching the young Mediator from behind. 

Before turning around, the young man didn't hesitate to let out a "Heh," a dry and short laugh, before turning back to both kings right behind him.

— Don't worry, Your Highness. I've already thought of that. Allow me...

With his words, the young man quickly brought his palms together and intertwined his fingers, generating a momentary purple light.

"Clairvoyance."

With the utterance, he launched a small luminous orb of the same previous color toward the filtered skies. Finally, a powerful expansion occurred, a flash so intense it could blind if it had been released so close to someone. And then...

Four types of screens.

They had the shape of huge rectangles floating in the sky, generating real-time images of that world separated from reality. The four screens showed different points that alternated on their own to where there was more movement in certain areas—as if determining a focus.

On the east screen, there was a short girl. She wore a simple white cloak, with crimson traces drawn around the shoulders and chest—almost like priestly robes. Her hair was straight, flowing down to her waist, and was cream-colored. She walked alone, her eyes closed and posture peaceful... but wherever she passed, two pairs of heavy marks crushed the grass—leaving large holes behind.

In the lower corner of the screen, a mark in the shape of a silver wolf indicated that she was a representative of Artoria.

Quickly switching to the second screen—to the north.

There, two figures fought fiercely on top of a narrow rock formation, in the middle of a deep canyon. Sparks flew with each clash of swords. The sound of metal echoed even in the silence of the square. One of the combatants was tall, covered in red armor that hid even his face. The other seemed agile, thin, with two daggers and almost feline movements. The man in armor had the mark of the ancestral dragon visible on the back of the metal plate of his right hand. The feline-looking woman had a wolf mark on the back of her left hand.

— That is... — Rigel murmured, clenching his fists at seeing one of his representatives already immersed in combat. — Kaelrick...!

— Bad luck for him, facing Ciryne right away. The pantha assassins are formidable and lethal demi-humans, her killing skills will quickly bring an end to this battle.

— Don't underestimate a Callurian warrior! Specially someone with such a great potential as Kaelrick!

The two kings argued while the clash continued on the second screen.

The third screen, facing south, showed a misty lake. It was silent... until a shadow emerged from the water. A gigantic being, with dark skin and glowing yellowish eyes, rose partially from the surface, staring at something—or someone—hidden by the dense mists. The tension of that frame was suffocating.

— Forgot to warn that my little pets were there... well, they'll find out anyway. — the young Mediator said in a mocking tone, with his hands behind his back.

And finally, the fourth screen.

It showed a clearing lit by the blue light of the sky. A young man with white hair and heterochromatic eyes—blue and red—walked cautiously, followed closely by a small blue-haired girl. Both were attentive but in no hurry. The dragon mark burned slightly on the back of each of their hands.

— The outsider... — Rigel recognized immediately.

— And the girl is with him too... — Antares commented, with a grave expression. — They managed to stay together.

— Still think civilians shouldn't participate? — teased the Mediator, without looking back.

— Hunf, this was simply luck for them. I still am very bothered about your decision.  — the king answered with a grave tone, as his own patience could end at any moment.

With nothing more said, they just continued watching the images floating above everyone. The four windows remained fixed now, alternating angles automatically, reacting to each new movement of interest.

The Mediator gave a light spin in the air and landed on his feet on a small parapet, crossing his arms.

— The stage is set. The audience is present. All that's left for us is to enjoy the show. — he thought.

△▼△▼△▼△

Returning to the forest.

Akashi and Kaira continued their walk, always attentive, as if each miscalculated step could be their last.

And, in a way... it was exactly that.

— I just hope she isn't too far... — Akashi murmured, his eyes scanning the thick vegetation. — With that strange guy on the loose, walking alone might be a greater risk than it seems.

With so much happening, the most logical choice was look for Maki, who had been separated at the moment of the teleport. Even if she was clearly capable of looking after herself, Akashi felt something unsettling regarding that man in the black cloak. He wasn't just strong—he was dangerous. Like a patient predator, hidden in the shadows, waiting for the smallest slip.

— Heh... but look at that. We started our journey in a forest and... here we go again. — He tried to lighten the mood, giving a half-smile. — Would it have hurt to throw us into a candy store?

— Ihihi... uh-huh! 

Kaira's soft laugh was like a ray of light amid that tension, her small hands covering the big smile. She smiled with her eyes, genuinely happy, as if not even the presence of death could shake her confidence. As if... as long as she was with him, everything would be fine.

But then, Akashi's expression darkened. He stared into space, as if reflecting on something he had been avoiding.

— Uhm... sorry for be saying this now, but... uh... Kaira... — he murmured, hesitantly. — About what I said before...

— Huh?

—... I––

His words were completely cutted. The winds brought a heavy feeling of danger, and then... suddenly...

A roar. A primal scream.

"RAAAAAAAAH!!!"

Like thunder splitting the forest in half, a crash broke out among the trees. From there, a monstrous figure emerged: a tall, muscular man with dark skin, wearing only torn pants. His head had no hair, nor did he have eyebrows or a beard. His eyes were empty, dilated in white by madness, the muscular body covered by scars and dark tattoos everywhere. His wide-open mouth was like the roar of a beast that knew no reason.

He lunged straight toward his small prey, hands ready to grab her like a helpless catch.

And that catch... was Kair—

— Think again!

Akashi's foot rose like a lightning bolt and crashed against the creature's abdomen with devastating force. The impact reverberated throughout the surroundings, birds fleeing in flocks and trees bending from the shockwave.

The man's body was launched like a cannonball, crossing rows of trunks that burst into splinters, until he disappeared into the mist of the dense forest.

— Are you okay?

Akashi turned immediately, looking at the girl beside him.

Kaira, for an instant, was perplexed, her silver eyes fixed on the spot where the man had vanished. She then blinked, like her consciousness began to work again, turned to Akashi... and nodded.

— M-mhm!

The sigh of relief escaped the young man's lips with her confirmation, followed by a tired smile.

— That's good. — he said, turning his gaze back to the forest. — But step back. Now it's with me.

Kaira took a few steps back, still startled, but trusting him. And then... from the shadows of the torn forest, he returned.

The same muscular man emerged stumbling, but smiling—an insane smile, with wide eyes and clenched teeth. From the center of his abdomen, where he had been hit, a thin black smoke rose, as if the energy of the impact still burned inside him.

— Heheheh... HAAAH! — arfed the man, his shoulders shaking with laughter. —  You've got grit, kid. I like that... I like seeing someone with spine. It gets me excited!

Akashi immediately noticed the symbol on his hand: the mark of the Wolf, the emblem of Artoria. Akashi's heterochromatic eyes narrowed.

So that was it...

He was one of the chosen.

The young man clenched his fists, his gaze burning with determination.

— Kaira, don't move an inch. This may get ugly.

The man walked slowly, his bare torso reflecting the filtered light from the treetops, like a predator on the prowl, as if he took pleasure in approaching slowly, savoring the confrontation to come.

— I am one of the former generals of the Sentinels of Artoria! — the man declared, stopping a few meters from Akashi and pointing his thumb at himself. — They say I'm so violent and insane that not even our armies could contain me! The "Titanic Fist"... Barek Thorvaan!

— Huh. We'll see if that title of yours lives up to your strength. — Akashi replied, punching his own palm. — Very well. I am Akashi Taiga... remember that name well, Barek Thorvaan.

— HAAAH!!! I'LL BE SURE TO REMEMBER ONE OF THE FEW MEN WHO DARED TO MAKE ME FEEL PAIN! AKASHI TAIGA!!!

Then, Barek lunged, exploding the ground under his feet with the force of the dash. An insane smile fixed on his face as he screamed like a crazed beast.

Without hesitating, Akashi lunged too. He raised his fist and...?!