Curse of the marked

Chapter 1: The Ashes of Ryuto The smell of burning wood lingered in the air. Smoke curled upward from what remained of Ryuto Village—charred rooftops, shattered walls, and streets soaked in blood. The screams had long faded, replaced by an eerie silence that weighed on the remnants of the once-thriving community.Kenshin Ryuto knelt in the soot, clutching the lifeless hand of his younger sister. His hands trembled, his body cut and bruised, but the pain in his chest made everything else feel numb.They were all gone.His father. His mother. His siblings. Burned. Slaughtered.He'd returned too late from the river, where he'd spent the day sulking over another argument with his father. He'd wanted to prove he didn't need his family. Now, the chance was gone forever.His vision blurred. Not from tears, but from rage.And from above the smoke, she descended.Kira Aku no.Her armor shimmered with silver and violet light, untouched by ash or blood. Her long silver hair flowed like silk in the breeze, and her gaze—calm, cold, unblinking—fell upon Kenshin like the eyes of death itself."You survived?" Her voice was melodic, yet devoid of emotion. "Unfortunate."Kenshin stood shakily, fists clenched so tight they bled. "Why… Why did you do this?!"Kira tilted her head slightly. "Because they had potential. Curse-worthy bloodlines. It was better to cleanse them now… before they became a threat."His mind struggled to comprehend her words, but the fire in his chest answered for him."You'll pay for this!" he roared, charging at her blindly.She didn't move. With a flick of her finger, lightning cracked from her blade and surged through Kenshin's body. He collapsed instantly, twitching, pain wracking every nerve."You're weak. No mark. No purpose," she said flatly. "Be grateful I spared you. Let your suffering be your legacy."With that, she vanished into the smoke, her cloak dissipating into sparks.---Night fell quickly. The stars shone above the ruined village, unaware of the tragedy below. Kenshin crawled to the ruins of his home and collapsed near the burnt foundation.He didn't cry. Couldn't. Something inside him had shattered too deeply.But something else had noticed him.From the trees beyond the village, an ancient presence stirred. Its skin was black and scaly, its form shifting between mist and flesh. Two glowing red eyes blinked slowly in the darkness.Kurobatsu, the Wailing Entity.He had watched the destruction from afar—an observer bound by ancient laws not to interfere. But something about the boy's pain… it resonated."He burns," Kurobatsu whispered to the night. "Not just with sorrow, but with will."He slithered into the ruins unseen, his breath cold and heavy, and knelt beside the unconscious boy."I break the pact… for you."Fangs glistened in the moonlight.Then—bite.Kenshin gasped as a searing pain exploded on his neck. His eyes flew open, glowing crimson. His body convulsed as dark tendrils spread from the bite mark, carving black flame-like tattoos along his chest and spine. His scream echoed through the ruins—a cry not of fear, but of rebirth.---Morning came.Kenshin stood atop the cliff outside his village, staring at the smoldering ruins. He didn't remember the night fully—only flashes: a beast, a bite, a dream of fire.Then pain. So much pain.He pulled back his collar and stared at the mark on his neck. A black sigil, shaped like a twisting flame.Suddenly, a voice behind him."That's a nasty brand you've got there, friend."Kenshin whirled around.A tall man leaned against a rock, blonde hair covering one eye, a cigarette in his mouth and a lazy smile on his face. His clothes were sleek, trimmed in blue and black, and his left leg was wrapped in weighted bands."Who are you?" Kenshin growled."The name's Hayate Kageyasu. Wanderer, cook, and occasional monster-slayer." He gave a slight bow. "I followed the storm here… and the stench of death. You're the only survivor?"Kenshin nodded warily.Hayate's eyes flicked to the mark on his neck. "And now you're cursed. Congratulations. You're officially part of the nightmare club."Kenshin stepped back. "You know what this is?""Oh, I know plenty. Enough to tell you you're lucky to be standing." Hayate's smile faded. "But unlucky in every other way."Kenshin's fists clenched again. "The woman… Kira Aku no. She did this. She killed everyone. Burned everything."At her name, even Hayate tensed."I've heard of her. The Empress of Harvest. Steals life from those she wounds. But she doesn't usually wipe out whole villages unless they're hiding something valuable."Kenshin glared at him. "You think my family was hiding something?"Hayate raised his hands. "I didn't say that. Just... nothing's ever simple when Curse Marks are involved."A gust of wind blew ash over the cliff. Kenshin turned back to the horizon."I don't care what my family was. She murdered them. I'll kill her for it.""Revenge, huh?" Hayate sighed and sat down. "Fair warning: that path's a dark one. The kind that eats you alive.""I don't care. She has to die."Hayate took a long drag of his cigarette. "Then you'll need to master that Curse Mark before it masters you. And you'll need a teacher."Kenshin looked at him. "You?"Hayate laughed. "Hell no. But I know someone. A man who taught me not to lose myself to the mark. He's a little crazy… but he's the best shot you've got.""Then take me to him."Hayate studied Kenshin for a moment. The boy's eyes weren't just angry. They were determined."Alright then," Hayate said, standing. "Let's get moving, Flame Boy."As they walked into the forest, Kenshin glanced back one last time at the ashes of his village.He didn't know where this road would lead.But he knew one thing:He wouldn't stop until Kira Aku no was dead.Even if the curse consumed him.