Chapter 1
Solar Year 180 – Asakusa
The quiet of Asakusa was broken by a newborn's first breath.
Within a small, timeworn house tucked between narrow streets and old wooden rooftops, a child was born into the warmth of lantern light and incense smoke.
White hair, soft as fresh snow.
Blue eyes that gleamed even as they barely opened, marked distinctly. A zero-shaped mark beneath the left eye. A small triangle beneath the right.
A beautiful smile.
The elderly woman who had assisted with the birth leaned closer, her lined face easing into a gentle grin.
"He's very beautiful, isn't he, Setsu-chan?"
Setsu sat against the futon, exhaustion clinging to her shoulders as tears welled in her eyes. Cradled in her arms was the baby, wrapped snugly in old-fashioned Asakusa blankets, worn but clean, steeped in tradition.
"He truly is," Setsu said softly.
She turned her head toward the doorway.
A small figure peeked in, half-hidden behind the wooden frame. Spiky black hair. Curious eyes.
With a tired but radiant smile, Setsu called out, "Benimaru. Come and see your little brother."
Benimaru's face lit up.
He ran in without hesitation, bare feet pattering against the floor, stopping short at his mother's side. When his eyes fell upon the sleeping baby, his smile widened further, something bright and earnest filling his chest.
"This is… my little brother," Benimaru said.
Setsu reached out with her free hand and gently rubbed his head.
"Yes," she said. "And now that you're the older brother, you're going to have to protect him. Alright?"
Benimaru straightened immediately.
"I promise," he said without a shred of doubt. "I'll always keep my little brother safe."
The elderly woman chuckled warmly at the sight.
"Setsu-chan," she said, folding her hands together. "Have you decided on a name for him yet?"
Setsu's lips curved upward.
"Yes," she said. "His name is Kidan."
She looked down at the baby, her expression softening further.
"Because he's me and Benimaru's Joyboy."
The elder nodded slowly, eyes shining.
"Looking at him," she said, "he really does bring joy. What a fitting name."
Benimaru leaned closer, lowering his voice as if afraid to wake the world itself.
"Hello, Kidan," he said. "My name is Benimaru. I'm your older brother."
As if responding to the sound, the baby stirred.
Slowly, Kidan's eyes opened.
Clear blue.
They focused, unfocused, then locked onto Benimaru's face.
A tiny smile spread across Kidan's lips.
He lifted his small hand, palm opening clumsily toward Benimaru.
Benimaru blinked, then grinned.
He leaned closer, bringing his face down until it was within reach.
Kidan's fingers brushed against his cheek.
A strange warmth spread through Benimaru's body.
Soft.
Gentle.
The elder woman watched the scene quietly, hands clasped at her chest.
"What a beautiful family," she murmured. "May they remain happy for all eternity, oh Great Sol."
"Latom," Setsu said.
Benimaru glanced up, curiosity flashing across his face.
"Mother," he asked, "why do you pray when nobody else in Asakusa does?"
Setsu smiled, a hint of nostalgia flickering in her eyes.
"That's because I'm not originally from Asakusa," she said. "I grew up praying. And I have full belief in Sol."
Benimaru looked back down at his brother, still gripping his finger.
"I see," he said quietly.
---
Five Years Later
Solar Year 185 – Asakusa
The setting sun bathed Asakusa in gold.
Long shadows stretched across the packed dirt yard behind the house, lanterns beginning to flicker to life as the day slowly gave way to night.
Two brothers stood facing each other.
Wooden swords clenched tightly in their hands.
Benimaru Shinmon stood tall and steady, feet planted firmly apart, posture flawless. His expression was relaxed, almost bored but his eyes were sharp, never leaving the boy across from him.
Kidan stood opposite him.
Messy white hair clung to his sweat-soaked forehead. His clothes were scuffed, dirt-stained, and his body bore the marks of a full day's punishment, bruises, scrapes, and trembling legs that screamed exhaustion.
Yet he smiled.
"It's pointless, Kidan," Benimaru said calmly. "You can't beat me."
Kidan wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
"Big brother," he said, breathing hard. "You might be stronger than me."
He lifted his blade.
"But I will land a strike."
Benimaru's lips curved upward.
"Show me then, little brother."
Kidan burst forward.
His feet slammed against the ground as he charged at full speed, sword raised overhead. The air whistled as he swung down with everything he had.
Benimaru stepped aside effortlessly.
"Too slow."
He twisted his wrist and smacked Kidan's side with the flat of his wooden sword.
THUD.
Kidan stumbled but didn't fall.
"Your stance is sloppy," Benimaru said, already moving. "You're putting too much weight on your front leg."
He struck again.
And again.
Kidan blocked one hit, barely only for Benimaru to hook his sword beneath Kidan's and knock it wide.
"Predictable," Benimaru continued. "You telegraph every attack."
Kidan grit his teeth.
'Don't stop.'
Benimaru came in from the left.
Kidan ducked.
From the right.
He jumped back.
Each movement was clumsy. Each defense imperfect. His arms screamed in protest, his vision swimming.
But he didn't stop.
He rushed in again.
Benimaru parried, spun, and slammed his sword into Kidan's shoulder, dropping him to one knee.
"Get up," Benimaru said flatly.
Kidan pushed himself off the ground, legs shaking.
"I'm… not done."
He inhaled deeply.
Then instead of charging, he waited.
Benimaru raised a brow.
Kidan stepped forward, slowly.
Then suddenly—l
He slipped.
Benimaru moved in, expecting another reckless swing.
But Kidan fell forward.
Benimaru's strike passed over him.
And in that instant
Kidan twisted his wrist and swung upward.
CRACK.
The wooden sword struck Benimaru clean across the ribs.
The yard went silent.
Benimaru froze.
Kidan stared, eyes wide.
Then
Benimaru burst out laughing.
"...Kidan," he said, looking down at the mark. "You actually hit me."
Kidan's face lit up brighter than the sunset.
"I did!" he said proudly. "I told you I would!"
Benimaru stepped forward and placed a hand on Kidan's head, ruffling his hair.
"Indeed you did."
Just then
"Benimaru! Kidan!"
Setsu's voice called out from the doorway.
"Come back inside. It's time for dinner."
Benimaru looked down at his brother.
"Let's go, Kidan."
Kidan nodded, grinning, and followed him inside.
The moment they entered
Setsu's eyes widened.
"Kidan!" she said, rushing over. "Are you okay?"
She knelt immediately, hands gently checking his arms and face.
"M-Mom," Kidan said, embarrassed. "I'm okay."
Setsu turned sharply toward Benimaru.
"Beni," she said firmly. "I keep telling you not to be too rough with Kidan. He's still just a child."
Benimaru shrugged.
"I have to go hard on him," he said. "Otherwise he'll never get strong."
Setsu sighed, then smiled.
"And is that not fine?" she said. "He has you to protect him. You're a strong boy."
Benimaru smirked.
"Kidan's strong too," he said. "He even managed to land a blow on me today."
Setsu blinked.
"Seriously?"
Kidan answered with a beaming smile, chest puffed out proudly.
Setsu laughed softly.
"Alright then," she said. "It's time for this warrior to take a bath before eating."
"Do I have to?" Kidan groaned.
"You can't be a great warrior if you're dirty now, can you?" Setsu said, lifting him up effortlessly.
She turned to Benimaru.
"Beni, you can go ahead and start without us."
Benimaru shook his head.
"I'll wait."
Setsu smiled. "Okay."
She carried a still-arguing Kidan away.
---
Later
The three of them sat together on the floor, gathered around a low table.
Dinner was simple.
Steamed white rice.
Miso soup with tofu and scallions.
Grilled mackerel lightly salted.
Pickled vegetables on the side.
Nothing fancy.
But warm.
Kidan looked up from his bowl.
"Mother," he said. "I'm going to get stronger. And when I do, I'll protect you."
Benimaru scoffed.
"Idiot," he said. "I'll be the one protecting mother. You just stand at the back and watch."
"That's not fair!" Kidan snapped.
"It is," Benimaru replied.
They glared at each other.
Then
Setsu chuckled.
"How about you both protect me?" she said gently. "My two little heroes."
The brothers paused.
They looked at each other.
Then
Two identical, beaming smiles appeared.
And then
Flames burst from Setsu's mouth.
In an instant
Her body ignited.
"—!!"
Fire exploded outward.
Benimaru reacted immediately.
He lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Kidan and turning his body
Shielding him.
Heat scorched the room as flames consumed Setsu, her form eroding, collapsing inward as the fire grew violent and uncontrollable.
"Mother!" Kidan cried, tears streaming down his face.
Benimaru stared, eyes wide with panic and disbelief, holding his brother tightly as the flames raged before them.
'No…'
His jaw clenched.
'Mother… has turned into an Infernal?'