The Azumabito Connection

Riessbern

The Kirishina traveled to Riessbern, a nation on the Newland Continent, to visit Faust's uncle and cousin.

Faust was weary of the trip. He had not seen his uncle and cousin for 5 years, as his father and his uncle lived radically different lives, and after reading about his family's history, he had even greater suspicions…

The Kirishina family was a cadet branch of the Azumabito house, being the direct descendants of Mikasa Ackerman. Even though she renounced all her rights as the Azumabito heir, the Hizuru tradition and cultural respect coming from the reignant Azumabito family guaranteed that all her heirs had finantial security and a modest wealth, as long as they respected the decision Mikasa took and never challenged the throne.

Eventually, Mikasa's 5th descedant, Azami Kara, returned and settled in Hizuru, keeping good relations with the Imperial Family through business, as he invested his family's wealth into military technology companies.

After The Darkness, KaraCorp was one of the few industries in the world that still kept information on paper, so it managed to patent many of the technologies that were rediscovered, making the Kirishina family one of the richest in the world.

Faust's father was of the main line of the Kirishina family, but as an adult, he grew uninterested in business and wealth, so he pursued a career in antropology, as he had always been fascinanted by the forgotten history of the world that helped give his family the wealth that they had.

Ceasar was always a pretty odd person, not particularly interested in people, but was extraordinarily gifted in retaining information about history and had an impressive drive for investigation.

Meanwhile, his older brother Lev, Faust's uncle, inherited the company as senior partner. He then settled with his family in Riessbern, managing the newest Branch of the corporation in the new world.

Faust had visited his uncle for the first time when he was 7. He then met his cousin, Albert. They got along pretty well. They kept in touch after they met again when Faust was 12.

The meeting between the families went pretty well. Lev was happy to hear about his brother's studies and findings. Sakura was entertained with Lev's wife.

Faust did not know her name, as she was not Albert's mother. His aunt, Nora, had died 5 years ago. His cousin had not been the same since. He took a rather reserved and cryptic behavior.

Albert: How do you feel about this?

Faust: About what?

Albert: Your visit.

Faust: Well, to be honest, it's a bit weird. A bit sudden.

Faust couldn't tell the reason of his suspicions to Albert.

Albert: I'm glad you realize…

Faust: Do you… know something?

Albert: Heh… maybe later…

Faust was already used to the weird behavior of his cousin so he just ignored it.

Albert: You know… I admire your father.

Faust: Hm? How come?

Albert: Just… the honesty of his passion.

Faust: I'll say it's a bit excessive.

Albert: But it's true. Not… some lie. He then gazed upon his father. He was talking with Sakura.

Albert: Faust… I don't know why… but you have some part to play.

Faust was shocked. Did he know something about what happened?

Faust: What do you mean?

Albert: Just… keep your eyes open when you are here.

Albert, who was two years older than Faust, did not stay with them on their trip, as he started working on his father's company.

Lev showered the Kirishina's in luxury during their stay, much to Sakura's delight. Ceasar, as usual, kept busy visiting the historical landmarks of Riessbern, leaving his family behind.

Lev: Your father never changes does he?

Faust: I'm used to it. He doesn't mean anything by it. It's just who he is.

Lev: Really? It doesn't bother you?

Faust: No. When I was Little it did… but then I started to realize, by the way he talked to me about history and all those things, just how much he loves what he does… and loved sharing it with me.

I wish I had that sort of drive in my life… but I haven't found it yet.

Lev: Yeah… you dad was always pretty unique… not everyone has that kind of passion you know? What does your mother say about it?

Faust started to feel unconfortable: Should you ask her about that?

Lev: Hah… you know how to avoid getting into trouble don't you? Your mother… is pretty special too. But in a different way. So that means… you are quite unique too… even more so I'll say.

As the days went by Faust was even more puzzled by the reason of their visit. All seemed pretty normal. Maybe he misunderstood his mother?

At night, while taking a stroll through his uncle grounds, he saw Albert staring at the mansion where his family was.

Faust: Hey Albert, how come you didn't tell you where here?

Albert: Faust. Do you think our family is cursed?

Faust: Huh?

Albert: You know about our history right? Your father has that book.

Faust is surprised: You know about that too?

Albert: Yes. My father had that book first as the eldest son. He gave it to your father afterwards.

Faust: Oh. Well in that case… I never really thought about it? It seems our family did pretty good.

Albert: Hmm… that's one way to look at it. To me, it seems as our family is bound to a poisoned past.

Fasut: How come?

Albert: It's true that for a time our family was met with great fortune and power. Even now. But… is it worth it? Was it worth it? To such extents…

Faust was confused: Eh… I think… you know things I don't.

Albert kept silent for a moment: It's for the best. You don't know some things…

Faust: Why?

Albert: Don't take it the wrong way… For power… people do the must despicable of things… isn't that the story of the world?

Faust was even more confused, but he assumed it was just Albert being weird as usual. But he got intrigued about something.

Faust: Hey Albert… did… your father also had that old dagger? You know, the one that was mentioned in the book?

Albert: No. Our grandfather gave it to father due to his request. Your father loved antiques, and that dagger was so rusted and old that he gave it to him as it would be safer with someone who appreciated.

Faust: Oh ok. Are you going to stay there?

Albert: Yes. You go Faust. Enjoy your last days here.

After Faust left, Albert kept staring at the mansion, leaning at a railing. His gaze was fixed on the master bedroom, which had the lights on and the courtains shut.

Back at Reinberg

Faust was relieved to see that the trip was pretty uneventful. Both his father and mother seemed in good spirits, so he forgot for a bit about his extraordinary circunstances.

Months passed and Faust turned 18. Everything went by as normal as it could, so he thought maybe all the events that happened to him were just some weird anecdotal circunstances, like so many members of his family before him had lived.

A year after, Faust had graduated from high school. He applied to study History, which made his father very excited. Meanwhile his mother had kept her upbeat demeanor towards him.

Faust life was at a high point: he was doing good in college to the point he almost forgot his life changing event. He tought that maybe… his concerns about his mother, her change of behavior towards him… maybe it was all on his head.

Maybe she just needed to know he indeed was part of the legacy of his family… Maybe.

1291

Faust was chatting with his father about his courses candidly. His mother went out to shop. It seemed a pretty normal week day.

The door bell rang. Faust answered the door. There was a package in the floor.

Faust felt a chill on his spine when he looked at it. It had the Azumabito emblem on it.

A Deep haze took over him. Faust found himself again in that strange desert when he entered the Devil's Horn.

He looked ahead, and saw a shape operating some kind of machinery.

Faust: It's you.

The Entity pulled something like a lever and Faust felt like something was ripping his chest apart.

The Dagger came out of his body. He was fully healed in an instant.

Faust: What? WHAT IS THIS?

The Entity was different from before. It had a masculine form.

Faust realized the dagger was on his hand now. And he felt rage.

He felt really hot suddenly. There was a lot of noise surrouding him. He noticed he was lying down and had something in his face.

He sat up and there was a paramedic besides him telling him to calm down and lie down.

Faust saw he was on a gurney by the Street. And his house was blown up and on fire. There was a huge crater where that package was sitting.

Faust ignored the paramedic and ran off towards his house. Several policemen grabbed him to stop him.

He kept struggling… but then saw paramedics carrying two bodybags, one large and one small.

He dropped to the floor in shock. He then felt someone embracing him from behind. It was his mother.

A few days passed like a blur. Faust was kept on medical observation for precaution, as he had no injuries at all, which was unexplainable to medics as he was found right at the blast zone.

Faust refused to talk to anyone. His mind was not clear, he could only think about that box and the Azumabito emblem.

Of course something like this had to happen… it was imposible that no one noticed the strange things when I was run over… fucking idiot… they were just taking their time… studying me… fuck… dad… Bruno… fuck… It's my fault…. But why? Why them?

His mother showed up with his uncle at one point.

Lev: Faust… I know. All of it.

Faust felt concerned

Sakura: Don't worry Faust. It's not you fault…

Faust: It's not? You both know that's not true… it has to do… with my power? Doesn't it?

Both Lev and Sakura kept quiet for a bit.

Lev: I can't deny it's true. But that doesn't mak…

Faust: IT IS MY FAULT THEN!

Sakura teary eyed: Son please… you never asked to carry the burden of your family… you just stumbled upon it… but I'm glad it was you… my son.

Lev: I think it's time for you to know everything. About your mother and the Azumabitos… and the danger you represent.

The Azumabito royal line had been stable ever since Mikasa Ackerman's abdication, until about 70 years ago, when Emperor Ryomen suddenly died without heirs. This caused a major political conflict between the two pretenders, Ryomen brother and sister, which lasted for a year, causing major economical struggles to Hizuru. In the end, the military and most of the private corporations backed Aiko, becoming Emperess. Meanwhile Hidemasa, was given the title of Prince of Rinko and named as the Prime Minister.

The peace lasted only for months, as the Emperess and the Prime Minister clashed constantly, Aiko was more economically centered and bent on integrating Hizuru to the rest of the world; meanwhile Hidemasa was keen on tradition and nationalism.

Hidemasa was eventually ousted as Primer Minister, his title of Prince revoked, and was exiled to Riessbern, being stripped of the Azumabito name and the right to inherit the throne extended to his issue.

Lev: Your paternal family, the Karas then and now the Kirishinas, aided the Fushima family, your mother's family, as distant relatives and due to the fact we did not agree with what had happened to them.

In the end both families joined through your mother and your father, two branches of the Azumabito royal line.

Sakura: You probably never noticed... but your father was always followed by Hizuru agents. He never really cared as it did not intrude with his work and many times the Hizuru government partly funded his research as an excuse to spy on him.

Lev: That brings us to this situation. You probably figured it out right?

Faust: They found out about me...

Lev: Yes. That day... when you accidentally displayed your powers publically... they found out about you. The Azumabito family knows all about the real history of Eldia and the Ackermans. They knew exactly what those strange reports about you meant.

They took their time, but they took action... to end you and your family.

Sakura started to cry.

Lev: I'm sorry that this happened to you... and Ceasar... sigh...

Faust: Don't.

Lev: Huh?

Faust: Don't be... I know now... what to do. You have money. I guess power too right?

Faust felt and enormous rage and need of revenge inside him.

Faust: I have this for something.

Sakura hugged him tightly. Her tears dropped on his shoulder. But... unknown to him... was the satisfied smile of his mother.