VANGUARD
"In this unforgiving world we call Cray, wars are waged constantly… The constant fighting never ceases..."
…
[Somewhere on the border of the United Sanctuary and the Dragon Empire]
Two armies rapidly approach each other.
Noble warrior dressed in blue and white armor: "c'mon men, fight! we will protect our homeland with everything we've got!".
Vicious warrior riding on a giant reptilian creature and dressed in red armor: " We won't fail to conquer this land. We fight for the glory of the empire!".
…
"...Whether over land, for resources, for pride and hell, even just for the fun of it. This country, no... this entire world is perpetually consumed with turmoil and littered with the scent of battle and blood…Will it ever end?"
[A small village out in the country side of the Dragon Empire]
[15.25.2089]
old vendor man: "Hey you brat! Get back here!... Someone stop that little thief, he's getting away!"
Black haired boy: "Haha… suck it old man!"
The boy ran away with six apples tucked into his shirt…
The short boy had long, spiky, navy blue hair that stuck upright with a ponytail in the back. His eyes were crimson red. He wore a messy long sleeved white shirt with black shorts.
He runs through the city, shifting through alleyways, jumping through windows and even scaling rooftops until his pursuer was no longer in sight…
He sits and waits on a rooftop until…
Black haired boy: "(*Heavy sigh*)... That old guy sure was persistent. But it was all worth it… I got six apples!"
The boy cautiously sneaks back to his hideout.
Upon reaching an old run down shack, He slowly crawls through a window and lays the apples out on a nearby crate.
The wooden shack he was standing in seems as if it could collapse in on itself at any moment.
The boy slowly walks over to a window and aggressively removes the dusty white sheet blocking out the sun.
Black haired boy: "Wake up you idiot!"
The boy sleeping on a blanket on the ground and using another to cover himself slowly gets up.
The teen: "ugh...There better be a good reason for waking me you little brat" (*uses the sheet to block the light sun*)
black haired boy: "It's midday, are you stupid! Get up already! The others are already out there trying to get enough food so we could survive until tomorrow, while you're here just being lazy!" (*He quickly forces the sheet off the man's face*)
The teen quickly covered his eyes with his right arm.
His spiky white hair gleams in the sunlight. It was medium height with spiky bangs that leaned to the left, slightly covering his left eye… He then removes his hand to reveal his Crimson red eyes…
…A few minutes later…
White haired teen: " Wow Kamui, you've outdone yourself this time. six apples is pretty impressive…"
Kamui: "(*Perks up*) I know right! I guess you could call today my lucky day... So anyways big bro, what kind of heist are you planning today?... Please tell me it's something big!"
white haired boy: "...Not sure yet actually" (*takes a bite of an apple*)
Kamui: "Oh… I see…"
Kamui briefly has a disappointed look before pouting and biting into one of the apples.
…
A familiar voice: " Hey! we're home…"
Kamui: "It sounds like Izaki and Morikawa are back"
Izaki: "Guess who got two loaves of bread today!..." (*enters the building through a window*)
He was a teenage boy with poofy chestnut brown hair and plain brown eyes. He was wearing an oversized brown shirt with a few holes in it and a black shorts
Morikawa: "It's not that big of a deal you know, it's just some bread" (*Enters through the window after Izaki*)
This boy had jet black hair spiked back into a v-shape, and light brown brown eyes. He wore a white shirt with brown pants.
Izaki: "...Yeah whatever, your just upset that you couldn't get a single copper today"
Morikawa: "ahk! no I'm not, you take that back!" he quickly retorts
Izaki: "yeah, yeah if you say so (*Sarcastically waves at Morikawa*)… Wow, apples! How'd you get these?"
Kamui: "I stole them you idiot, how else would I get-, hey only take one!"
Izaki: "Catch Morikawa" (*throws an apple*)
Morikawa: "oh thx- wait a second, I wasn't done yelling at you!"
Kamui: "don't get too handsy with my apples, the rest are mine, got it!"
Izaki: "I know that, sheesh" (*Takes a seat in a corner of the room*)
…
The four boys talk about random topics for hours, seemingly enjoying each other's company.
Their faces were filled with smiles and laughter... Although not related by blood they were a family…
Eventually a certain topic arises that eliminates the atmosphere of cheerfulness and places curiosity in its place.
Izaki: "Have you guys heard the news about the vanguards?"
Kamui: "...What's a vanguard?"
Izaki: " I guess it makes sense that you wouldn't know about it because you're so young. How about you Morikawa, Kei?"
Morikawa: "Of course I know all about those vanguard things, what do you take me for?" (*confidently shuts his eyes and crosses his arms*)
Izaki: "Of course you do" he says sarcastically
Kei: "...Yeah, I heard some stuff about it… Apparently it's a hot topic these days."
Izaki: "...Yeah, they say that they are very rare humans who awaken special powers said to be on par with divine beings"
Kamui: "Special powers... on par with divine beings?"
Morikawa: "Y-yeah I totally knew that of course"
Izaki: "I hear that whoever they are, they're destined for great wealth…"
Morikawa and Kamui: " woah!"
Izaki: "it's just a rumor so don't get too excited you two"
Kei: "...From what I've heard, it's such a hot topic now because a few vanguards have been discovered recently."
Izaki: "Yeah… Those guys basically have their lives laid out for them. They're Destined to be heroes… I wish I could meet one someday."
Kamui: "Yeah, me too!"
Morikawa: "Wealth and a high status huh?… That doesn't sound too bad I guess" (*Chuckles*)
Kei: "...Hey Izaki, do you know how they Identified these vanguards?"
Izaki: "Not a clue… (*Shakes his head*) but apparently when they are, word gets sent all throughout the nation"
Morikawa: "Anyways, Enough of all that irrelevant garbage… More importantly, how are we going to celebrate the new Ephemeris cycle coming up?!..."
A few days later… None of the boys could have foreseen what was about to happen...
[01.01.2090]
[Period, Chronicle, Ephemeris cycle - (Month, day, Year]
RING! RING! RING!
A large bell in the village center rings, signaling for the gathering of the citizens in the town square… Only under circumstances of attacks and emergency gatherings was it used so the people were quick to gather and find out what was happening…
An elderly man walks up on the platform that was towering above the people placed in the center of the town. This man is recognized as the village leader and everyone becomes silent as soon as he reaches the top.
Village chief: "(*clears throat*) Good day everyone! I apologize for the inconvenience caused by this gathering, but there has been an important announcement from the capital!"
Chatter from the people: "News? from the capital? what's going on?"
Village chief: "Settle yourselves!" as he hit the platform with his cane
The crowd of people spilling out of the square became silent.
Village chief: "It is regarding the Vanguards that have recently been identified!... Not only has someone from our village been confirmed to hold such latent abilities!... But there have in fact been two of them!"
The crowd remains silent with a few gasps… many await with bated breath for him to continue. The chief pulls out a scroll and turns it to the audience
Village chief: "I now present to you the men that will bring wealth and fame to our village! Kei Katsuragi and Yuta Izaki!"
The crowd erupts in cheers even though many of them had no clue who these men were.
To everyone's surprise, Kei and Yuta walk up beside the chief on the platform
Kamui: "...No way" (*Eyes slowly widens*)
Morikawa: "That's no fair, how come they both get to be Vangos and not me" (*Raises hand in jealousy*)
The people's praise and cheers go on for hours…
The days to follow, the four boys are treated as kings, they are fed and given proper clothing and housing...
[01.06.2090]
A carriage from the Empire's capital arrives at the village…
…
Kei: "Looks like it's time for us to get going…"
Yuta: "Yeah, time sure does fly doesn't it."
Soldier1 from the capital: "Seems you guys are packed and ready, not a lot but that makes our jobs much easier" as he looks at the boy's small brown bags
Another soldier seated on one of the horses pulling the carriage signals the two boys to get in…
Kei stares at Kamui for a moment
Kamui: "Huh? What's with that look bro?"
Kei: "..."
Kamui: "...I'll be fine you idiot! I can take care of myself, you know that don't you?"
Kei smirks and turns his head toward the carriage and walks inside
Kei: "...Of Course you can"
Morikawa: "...You two better not forget about us, and come back as soon as possible!" (*Tears stream down his face*)
Izaka: "Ok dude there's no need for tears, we'll be back soon I promise" (*Laughs awkwardly*)
Morikawa: "I'm not crying, you are!" (*More tears roll down his cheek*)
He quickly uses his forearm to shield his face
Kamui: "(*Deadpan stare*) …wow man, you need to get it together… Your pathetic"
Morikawa: "watch your mouth you little brat!"
Izaki chuckles as he goes into the carriage to sit beside Kei.
The two stop arguing and wave their friends goodbye one last time…
Soldier1: "Seems like we're all set now, let's get a move on" (*whips the horses*)
The carriage is slowly pulled away from the village…
All across Cray, just like Kei and Yuta, special people were making their presence known…
Brothers of light and shadow
Emperor of StarGate
Genius of the Sanctuary
Pirates of Granblue
Enforcers of the Empire
The Vanguards of this Era were about to be forced to persist in an era of strife, an era beyond the likes of which cray had ever seen before.