Terry Bent

Prologue

Ranshio, a mystical energy source that is bounded by the eight elements: fire, water, earth, wind, nature, lightning, darkness, and holy . This source of energy was carried throughout the cosmos of space within a massive meteorite that nearly took out half of the population within the planet called Earth. The day of the meteorite’s landing came suddenly and unannounced. Most of what was left of the planet were in ruins; many countries and cities were destroyed by its enormous collision with the earth’s crust.

The energy called Ranshio surged through the planet like a plague, granting life wherever it traveled. Creatures that were once thought extinct were instantly revived by the huge energy source. The plague continued, infecting those still alive after the impact. Ranshio essences, invisible waves of energy from the eight elements, were lifted off the meteorite and cast far across the globe, infecting a certain number of people with the ability to tame their specific elemental attribute. These people were later referred to as Ranshio warriors , beings who mastered the elements. To this day, Ranshio continues to distribute its gift to those chosen individuals. Among those individuals is a young boy around the age of fifteen who was granted the gift to control the flames through birth. His father, Zecht, a legend among Ranshio warriors from the past and present, had already carried the gift, and it was passed on to his son.

This is the story of a hero fighting for what he believes in and for the people he cares for, vowing to protect them even if it costs him his life. His name is Koji Memotto, and this is his story.

ラン塩

RANSHIO

SPECIAL EDITION THE PRELUDE

Chapter One: A Master and Her Apprentice

It has been eight years since the Tensuke City incident had taken place, Koji, who is now fifteen years of age, has been traveling throughout New Eden in search of mystical items known as Dragon claws. These claws can restore life, change realities, and grant power to whoever obtains them. Acquiring them, however, is no simple task.

Dragons, revived by the power of Ranshio, roam the lands of New Eden. Ten legendary dragons hold the power of the dragon claw and the only way to obtain them is by defeating these creatures. Dark storm clouds completely covered the once blazing sun that hovered over the wilderness outside of Augustus City. Koji halted in his steps as he glanced upward, his eyes fixed on the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder.

He felt a sense of nostalgia as his thoughts went back to a time when he lost someone whom he had admired, the one that taught him how to control his Ranshio powers. It was just two years ago, Koji had decided to do some solo training in a secluded forest after getting into an argument with his traveling companions, Vincent, and Zack. With his blade in hand, he began swinging at the air before him while altering battle stances with each swing.

He was unaware that a creature from the dark was watching him from the distance. A cat-like fiend began making its way through the bushes as it bared its fangs toward the young boy. Koji began drawing in calm deep breaths as he closed his eyes and entered another battle stance. He held his blade before him while trying to focus on the Ranshio essences that surrounded him. He lacked the ability to control his power but remembered these minor lessons with his father.

Just focus on the essences Koji, he thought to himself as he tried drawing in the fire essences that surrounded him. The fiend became instantly impatient as it dug its claws deep into the ground, ready to pounce. It unleashed a massive roar as it vaulted toward Koji, but the creature was instantly struck down by a stream of purple lightning.

Koji's eyes sprung wide open as he shifted his gaze behind him to see a young light-skinned girl around the age of fifteen with electricity coursing throughout her body. The remains of the fiend that failed in its attempt to harm Koji soon dispersed into the darkness leaving just the boy and the mysterious girl alone.

"Well, that was a close one," said the girl as she turned to face Koji. She wore a purple and yellow jacket with black shorts and black boots. Her hair was brown, long, and curly and her ears had hoop piercings around the edge. "You know a little boy like you shouldn't be out here on your own, where are your parents?"

"I'm not a little boy," Koji retorted, "my name is Koji," Koji's blade suddenly vanished into shimmering light as he approached the young girl whose lightning started to recede into her body "how did you do that just now?"

"How did I do what?" The girl asked while placing her right index finger against her cheek as her elbow rested on top of the palm of her left hand.

"The electricity, the speed, are you infected too?" Koji questioned while pointing his index finger toward the young girl

"Oh, so you know about Ranshio? Interesting..." said the girl as she started studying Koji "my name is Yasmin Izuru, and yes I am infected with Ranshio, my element is lightning," Yasmin began walking around Koji while studying his physique. She appeared beside the boy’s face, startling him slightly as a soft red blush line appeared across his cheeks. "I can sense Ranshio essences coming off you, I see that you are infected as well, what are the odds."

"Yes, although I don't really know how to access it or control it..." Koji replied in a stuttering manner.

"Hmmm, you don't say...well, I can teach you if you want?"

"Really!?" Koji's face brightened up at the thought of having someone teaching him how to control the power he held within. His grandfather knew little about Ranshio before he passed away. The only teaching he could offer at the time was on how to wield a blade. Koji began clenching both fists in excitement as he watched Yasmin lift her right index finger.

"Only on one condition, of course, I need your help on acquiring a specific item. I can tell your Ranshian element is fire which is perfect for the task I have for you," said Yasmin with a crafty grin on her face.

"I'm not sure how much help I can provide but sure whatever you need," said Koji with a hefty grin. He began muffling the back of his hair with his right hand as Yasmin clapped both of her hands together.

"Perfect from now on I'll be your master and you'll be my apprentice!" Yasmin stated cheerfully.

Chapter Two: The Kunasta's True Power

A couple of miles north of the secluded forest where Koji trained, lies a black cavern that is rumored to lead toward the center of the earth. The two had entered the cavern simultaneously and sweat immediately fell from Yasmin's face. She glanced back to see the young boy unbothered by the heat as he continued to follow her while scanning the rocky surfaces around him. "What is this place?" The young boy pondered while treading cautiously behind Yasmin.

"This place is known to hold a clue as to where the legendary dragon of flames resides," Yasmin replied calmly while wiping the sweat off her face.

"Legendary Dragon?" Koji questioned. He remembered his grandfather telling him stories about the ten legendary dragons that roamed New Eden. He also remembered the mystical Dragon Claws these dragons held in their possession. His face became stern as he stared at Yasmin's back. She could feel his stare instantly. A calm chuckle escaped her as she glanced back at the boy.

"Is something wrong?"

"You're after the Dragon Claws...aren't you?"

"So, you know about that too huh, man for a young boy you are well informed..." Yasmin retreated her eyes back to the path before her. She drew in a deep breath before she spoke "yes you're correct, I'm searching for the Dragon Claws in hopes of bringing back someone very close to me..."

"You lost someone too..." Koji stated softly while casting his gaze on the floor. He still held the Dragon Claw his grandfather gave him. It’s been four years since then and he hadn't run into a single dragon that carried a Dragon Claw on them.

"Yes, I did...someone I cherished...someone I loved so very much..." Yasmin halted in her steps as she stretched her left arm outward to halt Koji in his. Her facial expression became more serious as she began scanning the room below. They had reached the edge of a small cliff that led to a circular platform with a pool of lava surrounding it. At the center of the platform was a broken blade shoved deep into the ground.

Yasmin leaped off the edge of the cliff and landed on her right knee. She continued to shift her gaze back and forth, searching for any malicious presence. As she approached the platform, however, the heat grew intensely causing her to raise her arms to shield herself from the heatwave.

"Damn, just as I suspected, that blade is preventing me from going any further..." said Yasmin with clenched teeth. She glanced up to see Koji peering down at her with an innocent expression on his face. "You're up kid!"

"Right!" Koji leaped off the cliff and landed before his Master. The heat still did not faze him as he approached the blade that was sprouting flames from underneath it. Koji's mystical blade, the Kunasta, appeared in his hands in shimmering light, startling the boy slightly as he stared at the rusty dull blade his father gifted him.

What is he doing? Yasmin thought as she watched the boy stretching out his left hand toward the hilt of the blade shoved into the ground. Flames spewed upward as Koji pulled out the broken blade that seemed to resemble one of the ancient elemental swords, Flametongue. He raised his Kunasta and placed it against the blade’s metal, causing a flash of shimmering light to take place momentarily. Yasmin began shielding her eyes with her arms as the light began consuming the whole room. Suddenly, the heat that was so overbearing had dispersed and the light had lifted.

"What just happened?" Yasmin questioned as she lifted her gaze to see the boy standing before her with the Kunasta held in his right hand. "What did you just do?" Koji pondered on a way to respond to Yasmin. He lifted his blade and stared at it, for he had no idea what had just occurred. His thoughts were soon swept away, by different fiends appearing out of the shadows.

Yasmin quickly rushed toward Koji's side and placed her back against his. Electricity started to course through her body as she clenched her teeth and fists. "Stick with me kid, I don't want you to get hurt," Yasmin stated as she watched the fiends starting to slowly crouch toward them.

"Flametongue!" Koji shouted. Flames surrounded the Kunasta as the blade transformed into the Flametongue. The handle of the blade had a revving mechanism that acted like a motorcycle gearshift. Koji twisted the handle slightly, allowing the flames to coat the metal of the blade and burn intensely. Yasmin's eyes had widened for she had never seen such a weapon that could take on the appearance and ability of another.

Her surprised expression soon disappeared as the fiends lashed their fangs and claws toward them. In quick haste, Koji lashed out his Flametongue against the crowd of fiends before him, gutting their bodies until they disappeared into the darkness. Yasmin on the other hand allowed the electricity to course through her hands as she delivered a strong clap that sent the lightning straight to the group of fiends before her, causing them to disperse into darkness at the moment of impact.

She then began gathering lightning Ranshio Essences within her, while performing a certain type of hand sign. "Ranshio Bend: Multi-Dragon Clone!" Yasmin cried as she summoned four clones of herself from the lightning and scattered them toward four corners of the circle "Koji get out of the way!"

"Right!" Koji vaulted upward toward the cliff and watched as the original version of Yasmin leaped high in the air with electricity coursing through her hands once more. All the remaining fiends were stuck in the center as each one of Yasmin's clones began gathering up electricity within their hands. "Ranshio Bend: Piramide del rayo!" The fiends were overwhelmed by the surge of electricity that was unleashed by Yasmin and her four clones leaving nothing but dust and ash behind.

The clones disappeared within the electricity as Yasmin landed on the ground with her right knee resting against the heated floor. The lightning that coursed through her body soon receded as she gave off a slight smirk toward her apprentice.

"Ok seriously, when are you going to start teaching me how to do that shit?" Koji asked while rushing to his master.

"Soon, now that we took care of the cause of the heatwave we can proceed--" suddenly a massive energy spike grabbed Yasmin's attention as she glanced back to see the fiendish creature rise from within the lava. The beast had the face of a jackal and carried two scimitars in its hands. Around its neck seemed to be some sort of flaming scar and its eyes were bright red. It stood to be about twelve feet tall and held scars on its chest.

"What the hell is that!?" Koji stated with clenched teeth.

"Hang tight kid, this isn't over yet!" Yasmin stated while entering her stance.