CHAPTER 1: THE BOY WHO BURNED THE SHADOWS
[Scene 1 – Tokyo District 7, Nightfall]
The rain had just stopped.Neon signs reflected off puddles, painting the alleyways red and blue. The city slept—but something was awake inside the dark.
thud… thud… thud…A figure stumbled through the mist. His school uniform torn, his hands glowing faintly gold.
Kaen Arata, 17 years old.A normal high schooler… until his world caught fire.
"Damn it…" he hissed, pressing his hand to his chest. "That thing's aura—it's not human."
From the cracked wall behind him, a shadow peeled itself free. Eyes like dying embers. A grin that stretched too far.
Aural Beast.Born from hatred. Fed on fear.
Kaen clenched his fists. His aura flickered, golden flames trying to form—then shattering into sparks.
"You again… You think you can control it?"The shadow's voice dripped into his mind. "That fire of yours—it's not light. It's hunger."
Kaen smirked despite the blood on his lip."Then I'll feed it you."
He slammed his foot forward—the street cracked, golden aura bursting around him.The air shimmered as black and gold fire spiraled together, roaring like a heartbeat.
"AURA DRIVE — PHASE ONE!"
His aura exploded. The shadow lunged.For a second, the world turned silent—then light ripped through the alley like a blade.
[Scene 2 – Aftermath]
When Kaen opened his eyes, the beast was gone. Only ash remained—floating, glowing faintly.
He stared at his burned hand. The veins pulsed with dark smoke.
"…Every time I use it," he whispered, "I feel it eating me."
A voice came from the rooftops. Calm, deep, cold.
"Because that flame isn't yours, Arata."
Kaen looked up.A figure stood against the moon, wearing a long black coat, a single red eye glowing through his fringe.
Ryo Kurogane.
"Ryo…?" Kaen's eyes widened. "You—you're alive?"
The boy's tone didn't change.
"Alive? Maybe. Human? Not anymore."
And just like that, the air turned sharp.Their auras collided—gold and shadow clashing in the night sky, thunder rolling over Tokyo.
[Scene 3 – Narration]
In a world split between light and shadow…Two souls were born from the same fire.One to burn the darkness.The other to become it.
End of Chapter 1.