Chapter 1: Born From the Flame
Arc I
-14 years ago
*It's the break of dawn, around 7 in the morning, and Kazuo is still passed out asleep in his bed. His dad, Ryu, then enters his room to wake him. He approaches his his bed and starts to vigorously shake it.
Ryu: Hey, Kazuo wake up! Hey!
Kazuo: Five more minutes, dad.
Ryu: You had five more minutes 2 hours ago. C'mon get up, we need to pick out the crops.
Kazuo: Ugh.
Ryu: I'll be waiting outside.
*As soon as his dad leaves the room, Kazuo lethargically rises from the groove he created overnight. He slowly examines his room, and has an odd feeling. As if something is different. He ignores the strange feeling and gets ready to work in the fields with his dad. He heads outside
Kazuo: It's too early for this.
Ryu: If anything, it's not early enough.
Kazuo: Not funny, dad.
Ryu: C'mon now, we gotta be back before breakfast.
*Kazuo and his father start heading to field to harvest crop, as they do weekly. Times were tough for everyone, everyone fended for themselves. During the middle of harvesting the crops, Kazuo notices that his father has harvested more than usual.
Kazuo: Dad?
Ryu: Yeah son?
Kazuo: Are we moving again?
*Ryu suddenly stops and slowly turns to Kazuo to answer his question.
Ryu: What makes you say that?
Kazuo: Well, you're harvesting more than usual. You only do that when we are about to move.
*Ryu crouches down to Kazuo's height. One hand is laid on Kazuo's shoulder. He tries his best to explain to his son why they're moving once again.
Ryu: Listen-
Kazuo: I don't wanna move again. I've made so many friends and I don't wanna leave them!
*That made him smile. To know that his son is capable of making friends, despite of what he is truly is. But it also breaks his heart to know that he tearing his son away from his friends.
Ryu: I know, son. It's just there are people who don't like us. And those people don't want us here. So we have to go.
Kazuo: Why don't they like us? Why don't they like Altered?
*Calmly, Ryu removes his hand from his son's shoulder and places it on his head. To live in peace is all Ryu could ever ask for. For his family to be able live without fear. For his family to able to live on.
Ryu: I-I don't know, son. They're just afraid of us, I believe. They think we will wipe them all out and dominate the world.
*Kazuo looks down, but suddenly smells smoke. He looks up again in the direction of their house. He sees that house is under attack. Kazuo's starts running to house for his mother and baby sister are still there
Kazuo: Dad, the house!
Ryu: Shit!
Kazuo: Hurry, dad!
Ryu: Wait, Kazuo!
*As they approach the burning house, Ryu catches up to Kazuo and stops him from entering the house. Kazuo tries to struggle from his father arms to enter thehouse.
Ryu: Kazuo I need you to wait right hhere
Kazuo: What?! No?!
Ryu: Do as I say!
Kazuo: But I want to help!
Ryu: Just stay here! We're wasting time!
*Ryu runs into the burning house. Kazuo anxiously waits alone until is a sudden explosion.
Kazuo: No!
*He runs towards the burning house. When he jumps into the flames, he wakes up. (Present/14 years later) Kazuo realizes it was just a dream of a memory. His little sister, Kaeda, is beside his bed. She seems worried.
Kaeda: You alright?
Kazuo: Yeah, just a dream. Or rather a dream of a memory.
Kaeda: What was it about?
Kazuo: I don't want to talk about it.
Kaeda: Oh...well I made you breakfast.
Kazuo: Thank you.
*They get up and head to the kitchen for breakfast. Kaeda is the one who usually prepares breakfast since she wakes up earlier than Kazuo.
Kazuo: I'm going to pass by Shinji's after breakfast, need anything?
*Kazuo looks down the table to find that Kaeda is drawing.
Kaeda: Mmm, nope nothing I can think of.
Kazuo: What you drawing there?
Kaeda: Just some birds I saw yesterday.
Kazuo: Can I see?
Kaeda: Sure.
*She slides her sketchbook across the table to him.
Kazuo: Hm. You've gotten good, sis. I think you're better than me now.
Kaeda: You really think so?
Kazuo: Yeah, really. Keep it up.
*He examines her sketchbook.
Kazuo: Looks like you're running out of pages.
Kaeda: Huh? I didn't even notice, haha.
Kazuo: You know what? I'll get you a new one when I go to Shinji's.
Kaeda: Aww, thank you!
Kazuo: Welp, gotta go. Remember don't open the door to anyone but me and don't leave our property.
Kaeda: Yeah, yeah.
Kazuo: I'll be back in an hour.
Kaeda: See yaa!
*Kazuo exits the house and makes his way to the village marketplace. It takes him awhile to get there since he lives in a secret clearing up in a mountain. Usually when he walks down to the village, he thinks about life.
Kazuo: 14 years ago, my parents were killed in an anti-altered raid, leaving my sister and I orphans. Ever since then we have been hiding in the shadows, afraid of the world. We have always been alienated from society for being altered. We had been taught that altered are unwanted in this world. Altered are beings who have a certain ability enhanced or "altered", basically mutants. It wasn't until 2 years ago that my sister and I had found a home where we could feel somewhat safe. After all this time, I began to rethink, are we the ones who are truly afraid?
*He finally makes it to the village marketplace and head for Shinji's shop. Shinji is a good friend of Kazuo and Kaeda who has provided them with their necessities for awhile now. Once Kazuo got all his goods, he looks for a sketchbook for Kaeda.
Shinji: Alrighty then, is that all you would need, Kazuo?
Kazuo: Ummm, do you have any sketchbooks by any chance?
Shinji: That's an unusual request. But I should have some somewhere. You getting back into drawing?
Kazuo: Nah, Kaeda's finally used hers up.
Shinji: Ah, good for her!
Kazuo: Well, I best be going now.
Shinji: Hey, Kazuo, wait.
Kazuo: What is it?
Shinji: Some of the village scouts have been reporting that the Extremist Altered hunters are passing through here.
Kazuo: You guys don't have any Altered here, right? Kaeda and I are up in the mountain. Everything should be alright.
Shinji: Well yeah but I've heard things about the Extremists. I heard that they're just as bad as Xero.
Kazuo: These are extremists Shinji. They're poorly trained compared to our militia. If anything happens, the militia can handle it.
Shinji: Well, if you say so.
Kazuo: I'll be seeing you later, Shinji.
Shinji: See ya!
*Kazuo starts walking up the secret trail that leads to his hidden home. He makes sure he is not being followed constantly. Once he gets home, he calls Kaeda.
Kazuo: I'm home, Kaeda!
*He doesn't hear a response.
Kazuo: Kaeda?
*He hears grunting outside in the back yard and sees Kaeda training. He walks out to the back. He notices that Kaeda's sword technique is very fluid.
Kazuo: You're technique is a lil' off.
Kaeda: I know, I made my own style.
Kazuo: Your own style?
Kaeda: Mhm, I move as if I were water, it keeps me calm and focused. I couldn't really do that with your quick, piston technique.
Kazuo: Is that so? How about testing that style with me.
Kaeda: I don't see why not?
*Kazuo grabs a training sword and gets into stance about 15 yards away from Kaeda. They stare at each other.
Kaeda: Well, aren't you going to come at me?
Kazuo: If you insist.
*Kazuo breaks from his position and thrusts himself forward, coming at Kaeda like a miniature jet. He is so fast, it seems as if he is hovering above the ground. He sways his arm back, charging his swing. As releases his blow, he realizes Kaeda has read his move. She quickly strokes her sword up, knock away Kazuo's blow. She then attempts to punch in him the chest, but Kazuo blocks the punch with his left arm. Kazuo goes flying back, not losing his balance.
Kaeda: Aw damn! I almost finally hit you!
Kazuo: That was pretty close there. Either you're getting better or I'm getting rusty.
Kaeda: Let's find out.
*Kaeda runs to Kazuo and swings her sword at him but misses. Kazuo then attempts to hit her side but Kaeda blocks the blow. Kazuo has strength on his side, he realizes that Kaeda has become faster than him, making speed her asset. He uses his strength to his advantage, striking Kaeda's sword powerfully to make her arms numb. Although, Kaeda locks one of his strikes and moves his sword out of the way. She then starts striking in a fury storm, using her speed to her advantage. Kazuo is blocking and dodging every stroke she throws at him. He then steps forward and turns his foot and throws a very forceful strike, Kaeda notices what he about to do so she does the same. When the two swords make contact, there is a sudden pause and silence. The wooden swords break.
Kazuo: Well then.
Kaeda: Haha! A draw!
Kazuo: That was some duel you put up, kiddo.
Kaeda: Well I have been training everyday.
Kazuo: You have that going for you.
*Kaeda smiles at Kazuo.
Kazuo: I'm going inside for some water, want some?
Kaeda: Yes, please!
*As Kazuo is inside getting water for Kaeda and him, he hears her calling for him.
Kaeda: Kazuo!
*Kazuo runs outside to see what happened.
Kazuo: What's wrong?!
*Kaeda points in the direction of the village. He sees smoke.
Kazuo: The village!
Kaeda: We have to help them.
*Kazuo looks down and thinks for a bit, he doesn't want to take Kaeda down to village and help fight, but he sees that she has become a better fighter. He decides to let her come along for she could be great help despite the fact he doesn't want her to get hurt.
Kazuo: Grab your sword, Kaeda. The Extremists are here.
*Kazuo and Kaeda make their way to the village and see that the village has broken out into a complete firefight, the village militia are struggling to stand against the Exremists. Kazuo and Kaeda arrive. Kazuo sees Shinji lying on the ground.
Kazuo: Shinji!
*He runs to him.
Kazuo: Shinji! Get up! I'm here!
*Shinji opens his eyes weakly.
Shinji: I knew they were coming today. I just didn't know when. I thought we were ready, but we weren't. They came out of nowhere, fast and silent-like. We thought they were poorly trained and lacked skilled, but we were wrong. We are the poorly trained and lacking skill.
Kazuo: Shinji...
Shinji: It's alright.
*Shinji closes his eyes and peacefully dies. Kazuo draws a tear but holds the rest in. He gets up and draws his sword.
Kazuo: Kaeda, go down to the plaza and help the men down there. I'll take these guys.
Kaeda: Be careful, Kazuo.
* Kazuo turns to Kaeda and smiles.
Kazuo: Now where's the fun in that?
*Kazuo charges after the group of men who he targeted. He furiously slashes in anger for the death of his friend. All the extremists are stunned and are brutally sliced. Kazuo's manic screams petrifies them. After he is through with the sword wielders, he confronts a squad armed with rifles.
Extremist Officer: Hold your fire!
*Kazuo stares them down. He counts six against him. He pulls out a hand gun and an Extremist shoots his hand, blowing a hole through his left palm.
Kazuo: Agh! Shit!
Extremist Officer: I said hold your fire!
*Kazuo falls to his knees in pain. The Extremists continue aiming at him. He then looks up with eyes glowing green. He looks at the man who shot him and begins draining his life. The men are about to start firing until they are halted by the officer.
Extremist Officer: Don't shoot! Do you all see what kneels before us? It's a Reaper! Probably one of the last ones! I want you all to witness this before we unleash Hell onto him! I want you all to witness his horrifying power!
*The soldiers watch as Kazuo drains the life out of their fellow comrade.
Extremist Officer: Now fire!
*Kazuo turns to rest of the squad and starts to drain their life aswell. Kazuo starts screaming. They all drop dead. Kazuo sits panting then pukes blood. He gets up and looks for Kaeda.
Kazuo: Kaeda!
*He sees Kaeda with a group of militiamen and is relieved.
Kaeda: Kazuo!
*Kazuo smiles and limps toward her direction. A truck suddenly appears and skids causing its side to hit and knock out Kaeda. The men on the truck get off and slaughter the militiamen. The take Kaeda and drive off.
Kazuo: Hey! No! What are you doing!? Kaeda!
*A ball of fire combusts in front of Kazuo, exploding in his face. (14 years ago) He jumps into the fire of his burning house.
Kazuo: Mom!? Dad?!
*Kazuo walks around his burning house anxiously looking for his parents. He finds them dead and burning. Kazuo lays beside them crying. He then hears a baby crying
Kazuo: Kaeda!
*Kazuo follows the crying to find Kaeda in a burning closet. Relieved, he takes her out quickly and runs outside of the house. The house caves in. Kazuo watches as the house burns before his eyes. He looks at Kaeda, still crying.
Kazuo: It's just you and me now huh, Kaeda?
*He lays his hand on her cheek and she calms down. Kazuo continues to look at her, looking at the Death Rose necklace she has. He looks back at the burning moment, something new was born in Kazuo.
*(Present) Kazuo is lying on the ground. The village is burned down and there are no survivors. Kazuo weakly gets up and follows the trail of the truck that kidnapped Kaeda. He goes to the spot she had fallen when she was hit and finds the Death Rose necklace. He clutches it tightly in his hand.
Kazuo: Kaeda...
*He limps off on the trail in hope of finding his sister.
{Beginning of the First Arc, The Death Rose}