( Ongoing Battle )
The battlefield is filled with clashing swords, and shattering shields, the ground filled with blood.. Soldiers groaning in pain..
The battle ended with numerous deaths and many wounded soldiers.
In the centre of it all he moves like a reaper in flesh.
Kurayami(MC) - A man without hesitation, without pause.
Each swing of his sword fells another enemy.
No Cries, No Mercy ,Only Death.
He cuts down a soldier begging for his life.
Another flees — he is brought down before taking three steps.
The enemy breaks for him.
Even his allies dare not meet his gaze.
Guard 1 (Watching from behind the ruins of a fallen cart, voice bitter) -
"He is as cold blooded as ever..... no heart, no humanity..
I wish he'd met his end.. After all, he's the king's dog—bound to obey, to kill, to slaughter without question or mercy".
Guard 2 (Eyes wide, whispering harshly) - "Shhh! Keep your voice down! If he finds out, we're both dead. He's ruthless and he won't think twice about having us silenced".
??? - "What the hell are you two doing here?"
They both freeze. That voice—calm, sharp like drawn steel.
They turn slowly.
(Haruto, the only man the reaper(kurayami) might listen to, stands behind them.
Unarmed. Relaxed. But his eyes… they cut deeper than blades.)
Haruto (coolly):
"I asked a question."
Guard 1 (nervously straightening):
"N-Nothing, sir. Just… checking the wounded."
Guard 2 (swallowing hard):
"We—we didn't mean anything by it."
(Haruto glances past them. Kurayami still out there in the distance, his blade buried in an enemy's chest, unmoving, like a statue of war.)
Haruto (quietly, but firmly):
"If I were you, I'd choose my words more carefully.
He doesn't forget voices.
And I won't save you if he decides to respond."
The guards nod quickly, backing away. Haruto watches them leave, then turns his eyes on kurayami in the distance.
A pause.
Haruto (to himself):
"You scare even your own men...
But I wonder—how long before you scare yourself?"
After the Battle | Edge of the Battlefield]
The sky is darkening, stained red by the setting sun. The moans of the wounded fade into the background as the battlefield grows still. Only the dead remain motionless.
Kurayami stands at the edge of the hill, overlooking the carnage below.
His sword rests in the ground beside him, soaked in blood.
His armor dented. His hands steady. His expression unreadable.
Haruto approaches from behind, slow, deliberate steps. No fear. No hesitation.
Haruto:
"You're not even going to wipe the blood off your blade?"
Kurayami doesn't turn. Doesn't answer. Silence hangs.
Haruto (a half-smirk, then quieter):
"You scared the piss out of those two. They almost tripped over each other trying to make excuses."
A beat. Wind rustles ash and dirt across the field.
Kurayami (calmly):
"Then they shouldn't speak what they can't stand behind."
Haruto:
"They're fools, not traitors. Big difference."
Kurayami:
"Doesn't matter. The battlefield doesn't forgive either."
Haruto walks up beside him now, looking out at the field of corpses. He watches kurayami's face, but there's nothing in it—just emptiness.
Haruto (softly):
"How long do you plan to keep this up?"
Kurayami (without looking at him):
"Until the king says."
Haruto:
"And if he tells you to turn that blade on me one day?"
Kurayami (flatly):
"Then don't give him a reason to."
Haruto (with a dry chuckle):
"You really know how to make someone feel special."
Haruto (glancing at the smoldering ruins):
"…It's done. Nothing left to clean up."
"Let's go back. We've done what we came to do.
Time to report to the king."
Kurayami (picking up his sword slowly):
"Understood."
The two begin walking side by side.
Guard 2 (whispering to Guard 1 as they watch them leave):
"He just… follows him like that? Like it's normal?"
Guard 1 (grimacing):
"Haruto's the only one who talks to him like a man.
Anyone else would've had their throat slit."
Guard 2:
"Still… It's like watching a sword walk next to its sheath."
[Forest Road, En Route to the Castle]
The battlefield is far behind them now. The dirt path winds through a dense forest, the air thick with the scent of rain and blood. Crows caw in the trees.
Kuroyami (gruffly, without looking over):
"…Why the hell do you keep following me".
A pause. Haruto blinks, surprised.
Haruto (with a smirk):
"Wow. That almost sounded like emotion. Careful—you're gonna ruin your terrifying reputation."
Kuroyami doesn't respond, just keeps walking.
Haruto (grinning):
"Maybe I enjoy long walks in the company of emotionally constipated murderers. Who knows?"
Kuroyami (deadpan):
"Tch."
Haruto:
"Or maybe I just like the way you say 'leave me alone' like it's supposed to scare me."
Kuroyami (still not looking at him):
"Most people take the hint."
Haruto (shrugs with mocking laughter):
"Most people haven't seen you snore in your sleep."
That makes Kuroyami stop. Just slightly. A single step. He slowly turns his head, eyes narrowing.
Kuroyami (quietly):
"…You're lying."
Haruto (grinning wider):
"Am I?
They start walking again. The forest grows quieter as the castle walls finally begin to appear between the trees.
VOICES (cheering):
"They're back!"
"It's the special unit!"
"They did it!"
As they appear — a roar of applause breaks out.
FAN GIRL #1 (screaming):
"Haaaarutooooo!"
FAN GIRL #2 (clutching a handmade sign):
"Marry me, Harutooo!! I made you some sushii!!"
He catches the sushi mid-air as someone tosses them toward him, gives a mock bow, and winks. The crowd screams.
Kuroyami(under his breath, deadpan):
"This is unbearable."
A child tugs at the kuroyami's cloak.
CHILD (wide-eyed):
"Mister? Were you there too? Did you fight?"
Kuroyami glances down, slightly startled. A pause.
Kuroyami (weirdly and quietly):
"...Yeah."
CHILD (smiling and blushing):
"Cool."
The child runs off, and the kuroyami watches him go — just for a moment — before returning to his usual stone-faced expression.
Haruto (teasing, now beside him):
"Look at you. Practically glowing..So you got your first fan."
Kuroyami:
"Shut up."
The celebration has begun to settle. Music fades into murmurs. Torches burn low. The villagers gather in tighter circles — drinking, eating, whispering.
At one table, a group of young guard students and locals sit wide-eyed as an older veteran teacher — GARAN, armor scarred and eyes sharp — leans in over a mug.
(Garan is the teacher of swordsman crafting school.)
GARAN (low voice):
"You kids cheer him like a hero, but you don't know what you're lookin' at."
The group falls silent, hooked.
YOUNG GUARD:
"You mean Captain Haruto?"
GARAN (nodding slowly):
"Aye. That one. Haruto the Red Fang. The man who carries the legendary Dragon Ren."
Gasps. Someone nearly drops their cup.
VILLAGER GIRL:
"The Dragon? I thought that was a myth."
GARAN (voice tightening):
"Not a myth. I saw it once. Just once. The sky went black, the wind turned to fire — and his eyes... weren't human anymore. That wasn't a man swinging his blade. That was a god's rage wrapped in flesh."
He lifts his mug again, but his hand trembles slightly.
GARAN (continuing):
"They say the Ren is a beast bound to your soul — shows what you really are. Some have wolves, some have shadows, some just burn out tryin' to tame theirs. But him?"
He pauses. Leans in closer.
"He is the dragon. Not just its host — its match."
VILLAGER BOY (awed):
"Is it true he once melted an entire fortress wall with one swing of his sword?"
GARAN:
"Maybe. "I saw him drive his blade clean through a knight clad in full steel."
Another silence. Just the flicker of torchlight and crackling of embers. Then, footsteps crunching over dirt outside.
Someone peers out the window.
YOUNG GUARD:
"Speak of the beast…"
Haruto is walking through the village square, coat slung over one shoulder, casual as ever. Kuroyami trails behind, shadowed, unreadable.
The group at the table watches in silence as Haruto glances their way — and smirks, as if he heard everything.
GARAN (quietly):
"Pray you never see the dragon lose control."
VILLAGER GIRL :
"Even though it's terrifying..it still makes him cool!"
Kurayami and haruto enters inside the castle near the king's throne.
Kuroyami and haruto kneels before the King.
King Raizen:
"How did the mission go, kurayami and haruto?".
"Was it done?".
Haruto:
"Yes your majesty."
King Raizen(Smiles):
"I expect nothing less.. from either of you".
"You serve without question, without hesitation.
That is what makes you valuable to me."
"You both are the key to achieve my goal.. to make me the ruler of all the 4 kingdom's".
"This kingdom of mine… Black Fang, Kurokiba — feared for its steel and shadows. But why stop here? Why be content with one throne when four await?"
(The four kingdom's — 1)Black Fang/Kurokiba, 2) Hidden demon kingdom, 3) Moon Ring Kingdom/Tsukiniwa, 4) The Spring Kingdom.)
His eyes gleamed as he rose, spreading his arms as if to claim the world itself.
King raizen:
"Beyond these walls lies the Hidden Demon Kingdom… savage, ruthless, a land that breeds monsters and men alike. To the east, the Moon Ring Kingdom — Tsukiniwa — bathed in silver light, steeped in secrets. And to the south… the Spring Kingdom, a land of beauty and abundance, envied by all."
His smile sharpened, cruel and eager.
King Raizen:
"Four thrones. Four crowns. And I will wear them all. With you at my side, none will stand against me. I will rule not a kingdom… but the world."
The torches flared as if feeding on his ambition, his laughter carrying through the vast hall like a storm breaking.
Kuroyami & Haruto:
"We will try our best, Your Majesty."
The king's smile widened, sharp as a dagger.
King raizen:
"Good. Then the age of conquest begins."
Kurayami bows his head lower, saying nothing.
Kurayami (low, formal):
"Thank you, Your Majesty. With your leave… we shall return to our quarters."
King raizen (voice smooth, authoritative):
"You have done well. Rest now, and keep yourselves ready.
The realm may call upon you again sooner than you think."
Both men bowed low in unison.
Kurayami (formal):
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Kurayami and haruto starts leaving the King's Castle
Haruto:
"Well… that went about as cheerful as ever".
Kurokiba Prison — A Voice in the Dark
The prisoner dragged himself to the bars, chains scraping against stone. His voice trembled with urgency.
Prisoner: "…Let me see him. My son. Akio. Bring him to me."
At first, there was only silence. Then, from beyond the shadows, a voice answered — low, sharp, and cold.
Voice: "Akio? That name is no more."
The prisoner froze, breath catching.
Prisoner: "…What are you saying?"
Voice: "Akio… no. That name no longer exists. The world knows him now by another name."
The prisoner's breath caught, fingers tightening around the iron.
Prisoner: "…Another name…?"
The Voice stepped back, his shadow stretching across the stones as he turned to leave. His final words echoed like a curse:
Voice: "Kurayami(Darkness)."