Chapter 1 : Aki's world
In the rainy night of Kwilo, Akihito stood out as the hero of a noisy bar, where a sweet melody and hearty voices blended into a cacophony. He carried two women on his shoulders behind this lively and comical scene, in a corridor with red walls and golden moldings, the quarters of the residents of the famous and renowned "Red Caths."
The sight of the woman suddenly transported us to a distant past, 10,000 years ago, during the time of the first demon king before his rise, in the tumultuous years following the rebirth, a worldwide phenomenon that transformed and enhanced everything on Earth 1,223 years ago. Although seemingly benevolent, this great catastrophe also brought its share of misfortune—creatures from the past resurrected, stronger, faster, and more powerful, the Ravagers.
Akihito, nicknamed Aki, suffered from amnesia. He was welcomed as a son by the inhabitants of this house. Catherine, a charming 36-year-old woman with blue eyes and black hair, mothered him.
He gently placed the two women in a room and then went to the storage to put away the rum bottles, witnesses of their eventful night. The bloody reflection of his face in the mirror told the tale of the festive extent of the previous evening.
"She didn't hold back," he smiled, cleaning his face. His wound, though shallow, still had some glitters and red feathers inside, mementos of the games and contests with the night beauties.
At sunrise, at 7 a.m., Akihito, dressed in a black military uniform from the 1920s, prepared himself. He tied his hair, usually quite long, reaching his neck. Noticing that the nighttime wound had already disappeared, he adjusted his cap, letting a few strands escape on each side of his face.
"To work," he said determinedly, heading towards the dining room, animated by the morning hustle and bustle. Songs, lively discussions, vomiting—basically, a normal start to the day for this chosen family.
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Catherine greeted him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Did you sleep well, I hope?" she asked.
"Very well," Akihito replied.
The dining room was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Women of all origins, ages, and sizes waved at him, winked, or even blew flying kisses. Compliments poured in about his attire, highlighting the transformation of this man who emerged from a dumpster three years ago.
Catherine eased any potential tensions by taking Sakura, the author of the comparison, in her arms, reassuring her. "You know you're all like my children, and I love you. You don't have to be jealous," she said, bringing a touch of maternal warmth to the atmosphere.
Aware of Aki's delay, she signaled him to leave, raising her eyebrows towards the door. Akihito hastily left the building. Outside, he contemplated the army recruitment posters depicting a country at war. The morning sunlight gradually traversed the baked brick buildings before spreading onto the cobblestone street.
"This world is ours, many years ahead, but so far technologically. It tried to recover after the rebirth, but lost its greatest asset, electronics, due to the electromagnetic pulses emitted by the planet at regular intervals. Although it found an alternative, 'tantalite,' it is still far from mastered," we were told.
A massive metallic gray bus adorned with gilded G's at the front and sides appeared, the symbol of the Guild, an organization dedicated to tracking and exterminating the "Ravagers." Akihito, a newly hired member of the Guild, underwent his admission exam, boarded the bus, and met Toru.
"Hey, I'm Toru. You're new to the Guild?" he asked, showing genuine interest.
"Yeah, that's right. I'm Aki," Akihito replied politely.
Trying to impress him, Toru demonstrated his mastery of Rho, a mysterious energy. He effortlessly twisted the iron bars added to the bus windows. "Impressed, huh?" he confidently exclaimed.
"Yes, it's quite impressive," Akihito replied, remaining calm.
Faced with this cold and unexpected reaction, Toru challenged him to do the same. Despite almost non-existent teaching skills, he explained the basic workings of Rho while underestimating him.
Concentrating, Akihito felt Rho coursing through his veins, illuminating his being. The bus abruptly stopped, without turning, oblivious to what he had done. Akihito got off the bus, calling Toru to join him.
Toru, conflicted by Akihito's overwhelming demonstration, carefully observed the damage inflicted on the back door of the bus. It was completely deformed as if an adult elephant had stepped on it. The impact had smoothly traversed his colleague's chair and backrest to lodge there. "Who is this guy?" he muttered inwardly, his face twisted with a terrified smile.