Chapter 1: The Rebellion of the Sage's Commandent

In the year 195 since the birth of Kuniji I, the scrolls arrived in the Kingdom of Heisu, determining the fate of all 16 year olds in the state. The scrolls would have decreed the results for the civil servant entrance examination. Those who passed the entrance exam would have the opportunity to work for the government, and perhaps raise themselves out of abysmal property and into the aristocratic society. Those who failed, on the other hand, would see themselves laboring away as farmers, as their ancestors were before.

When a certain young man in the village received his results, it was obvious that he had failed. In fact, the whole village likely knew that Haruji Takara, the long-haired, uncouth village drunk, would likely stay as one.

Actually, perhaps all three Takara siblings would stay that way. Father Takara had passed away early, leaving behind a mound of debt he had obtained through years of idleness. Mother Takara, immediately, after his death, eloped with another man.

Therefore, it was up to 10-year old Haruji to become the breadwinner for him and his two younger siblings, 8-year old Hiraku and 6-year old Ryuji.

Haruji often took odd jobs around, earning what little money he could. Eventually the two siblings also joined him. They made enough money just to get by, but soon the tempts of alcohol drew Haruji near, and eventually, all three siblings lived out begging. They used their money to buy large amounts of liquor that led to themselves being marked the “Three Drunk Stooges”.

Eventually, though, Haruji sobered up just enough to see the question bubbles for the mandatory entrance exams. He left within five minutes of the start, to start begging on the streets again for money.

A month or so after the exam results, Haruji had drunk so much, so much so that he went out of the village, into the rugged countryside, and into a cave, where he passed out.

When Haruji woke up, he began vomiting profusely. After all, he was seriously hung over. Yet, Haruji could see only darkness, for that was when, after he sobered up, he realized he was trapped in the cave.

It was then when Haruji lost all hope that a beam of light appeared from an entrance. Soon, when Haruji opened his eyes, an old man with a neatly trimmed white beard appeared before him.

“Oh, great man, I come from the heavens to you! You, Haruji Takara, have immense power, for you are the descendent of the great Kuniji!” the old man bellowed.

“Oh, dammit, I have died! Oh, thank goodness I have gotten rid of all the misery!” Haruji muttered.

The old man softened, “I appreciate the sentiment, but you have not died. In fact, if I command you, you shall not die! You are to become the face of the region, uniting all bickering warlords!”

The old man reached from his knapsack, to reveal a pair of brightly jagged gloves. The jagged gloves crackled, and created a bright light in the dark cave.

“These pairs of gloves were supposed to be given to you on your fifteenth birthday! Yet it seems that we must’ve forgotten about it. After all, who knows what six generations can do!” the sage laughed.

“What tomfoolery this is! Nothing but a novelty toy. Now if you really are a sage with so-called magical powers, then blast the entrance so I can get out!” Haruji angrily complained.

“No, you are to become the greatest of them a- What are you doing? Stop!” the sage yelled when Haruji launched at the sage and took the gloves.

“Hah, what do these silly things even do!” Haruji grinned as he put them on. “These are simply useless pieces of-”

Suddenly, the gloves began wildly crackling.

“Dammit, what is this, have you cursed me!” Haruji cried as he lifted his arms.

At the moment he lifted his arms, the two gloves shot you from the palms two sizzling yellow bolts, which crashed up to the ceiling with a furious thud. Soon, the ceiling began rumbling, and the sage disappeared, leaving only his “present” to Haruji.

The rocks luckily missed Harujii, except for one huge boulder which crashed onto him with a thud.

When Haruji realized he was trapped under the rock, he yelled for someone to help. He could see the sun beginning to rise, and the forest coming to life. Yet, it eerily lacked human life. Except for a tree that read the words,

“I suppose it is a curse after all? For nearly killing me and yourself, you have been subject to be under the rock until the following conditions are met:

You must rid yourself of alcohol.

You must train yourself in the art of using your gloves. The gloves will only give small power now, for you have exhausted it. Train until you are able to crack the rock. Only, then are you free.

Your brothers will meet a similar fate at your age. They will likely react the same way, with that impulse of yours. In fact, they’ll likely react the same way your father did too.

You must compose yourself, or you will die here!

Life is short, but make the best use of it!

From the wise mage,

Shigeru”

So began Haruji’s training. We shall not go into the details, but what was important was what this event meant for the region.

In the year 205 since the birth of Kuniji I, the first large-scale rebellion exploded throughout the region. They called themselves the “Banded Brothers of Lightning”, for they wore distinguishing yellow headbands with a lightning symbol. Peasants and the uneducated poor who were dissatisfied with living conditions all rallied behind the Takara brothers, who with their newfound skills, convinced many that they were messengers from divine intervention, who were sent by God himself to make things right. They promised to combat corruption, poverty, crime, and most importantly, uniting the region together once more.

So, the rebellion spread like a wildfire, and in a year managed to take over the western region completely. In order to combat this, the 10 remaining leaders of different regions formed a coalition army.

For six whole months, a brutal civil war raged on, with many falling on each side. It was during this time, when the 10 leaders issued a decree: those with Kuniji’s blood were to show themselves and to be conscripted into the coalition army immediately.

While many saw this as an opportunity, most realized that if the coalition army won, they would know who the people with powers were. Therefore, it was much a possibility that the leaders would murder all of them once the war was over.

Yet, for a few brave souls, this war meant the arising of an opportunity. And so some enlisted. Some of those who worked for the Takara brothers even switched sides, sensing opportunities of their own to carve out a piece of land.

And so the war raged on.