The Drake Blood Tales

Several years ago, in a small remote village called Kishigata...

There lived a young girl named Maki Hoshigaki. Maki had a gentle heart and a love for learning, especially in the art of healing magic. Her talent in this area was extraordinary, but what made her truly unique was her rare gift of mana immunity. No matter the type of mana she came into contact with—whether it was dark, chaotic, light, or even the twisted power of the outer gods—she remained unaffected by any harmful side effects.

Maki's kind nature and miraculous abilities earned her the admiration of the villagers. Among her friends, none were closer to her than Ayumi, her best friend since childhood. The two shared a deep and inseparable bond, spending countless hours together exploring, learning, and dreaming of a better future.

The village's modest library became their sanctuary. They often snuck in to pore over books long past bedtime, their imaginations fueled by tales of gods, magic, and ancient legends. One day, Ayumi stumbled upon a forbidden tome titled Intaken, a book filled with dark knowledge about the outer gods and the enigmatic gifts they sometimes bestowed upon mortals. Despite its ominous nature, curiosity overcame caution, and Ayumi delved into its pages.

Meanwhile, Maki continued to perform her miracles, healing the sick and injured who came to her for aid. One fateful day, Ayumi approached her with a look of urgency, claiming she had been burned by torches while helping some villagers.

Maki immediately began to heal her friend, her hands glowing softly with her healing magic. But as she worked, Ayumi suddenly grabbed Maki's hand. Startled, Maki froze as a strange symbol began to glow faintly on Maki palm. The symbol pulsed with an otherworldly energy, and the sight of it sent a shiver through Maki's body.

"What is this?" Maki asked her dear friend, her voice trembling as she gazed at the glowing mark on Ayumi's palm.

Ayumi smiled softly, though her eyes seemed to carry a shadow of unease. "You've always been such a good person, Maki. Don't worry—it's okay. You'll be fine."

Though the strange event left her uneasy, Maki shook off the feeling and finished healing Ayumi's burns.

A week later, calamity descended upon Kishigata. An army of the Utakata invaded, raiding the village with brutal efficiency. Screams filled the air as the villagers were cut down or taken captive. Maki's parents, desperate to protect their daughter, began searching frantically for her amidst the chaos.

Meanwhile, Ayumi had led Maki to a warehouse, urging her to hide as the Utakata samurai drew closer. But before they could secure the doors, the samurai burst in, weapons drawn.

Maki's parents arrived moments later, horrified to see their daughter and Ayumi lying unconscious within a glowing magic circle etched onto the warehouse floor. The sight was surreal and terrifying, the markings pulsating with an unnatural light.

The samurai quickly subdued Maki's parents, binding their hands and dragging them toward the door. As Maki and Ayumi began to regain consciousness, confusion clouded their faces. Ayumi's eyes darted around, landing on the samurai holding her parents captive.

"Wait! Please, let go of Mom and Dad!" Ayumi screamed, scrambling to her feet. She ran toward the samurai, desperation in her voice.

Behind her, Maki stood motionless, watching the scene unfold with an unsettling smirk creeping across her face. Her demeanor was calm, almost detached, as though she were observing the chaos rather than experiencing it.

One of the samurai raised the hilt of his sword and struck Ayumi down, silencing her protests with a swift blow.

As Ayumi fell to the ground, Maki stepped forward. Her smirk faded, and her expression softened into something unreadable. Slowly, she raised her hands in surrender.

"I'll go with you," Maki said evenly, her voice calm and steady.

The samurai exchanged glances before binding Maki's wrists. The light of the magic circle began to fade, leaving behind an ominous silence that settled over the warehouse like a heavy shroud.

As the samurai led the captives away, Maki glanced over her shoulder at Ayumi, who lay unconscious on the floor. A flicker of emotion crossed her face—regret, perhaps, or something darker—but she said nothing as they marched her into the heart of the Utakata's domain.

As the prisoners were rounded up, their ragged coverings were removed one by one by a stern-faced dōshin, his voice booming, "Which one of you is gifted with the blessings of the gods?"

Maki, now in Ayumi's body, hesitated but then rose to her feet. "It's me," she declared firmly.

When the dōshin pulled the rag from Ayumi, now wearing Maki's body, Ayumi gasped in horror. "What... who are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Maki, her expression eerily calm, smirked.

The dōshin walked between the two girls, scrutinizing them. Ayumi, realizing the grim truth, shouted, "No, it's me! I was given the blessing!"

The dōshin, unimpressed, struck her hard across the face, sending her to the ground, blood trickling from her lips.

The two girls were taken to a temple, a somber place adorned with symbols of devotion. The air was thick with incense, and the faint sound of chanting echoed through the chamber.

Once inside, Ayumi, now in Maki's body, broke the silence. Her tone was cold, laced with a cruel satisfaction. "Maki... you were so blessed that even your parents forgot your origins."

Maki, trapped in Ayumi's body, looked at her in confusion, tears welling in her eyes. "What... what do you mean?"

Ayumi smirked, her voice steady and sharp. "When your mother was pregnant, she lost her child to a miscarriage. But your parents—oh, those devout, desperate fools—secretly turned to Nur'miyatra, the outer god of fertility and bonds. They prayed and begged, and Nur'miyatra granted them a vessel—a child, but with conditions. You, Maki, were that vessel. A child destined to care for others for her entire life. How poetic, don't you think?"

Maki, her voice trembling, cried out, "No... that's not true! I never wanted this! I never wanted to hurt you! You're my best friend, Ayumi!"

But Ayumi, unmoved, continued, her tone now venomous. "Of course, it's true. You were so perfect... so flawless... so blessed that even your existence cast me into shadow. No matter how much I studied, no matter how hard I tried, I was nothing compared to you. Your parents praised you like a divine miracle, while mine barely noticed I existed. You were a shining light, a paragon of kindness, the beloved 'Maki.' And what was I? Just Ayumi, the girl who could never measure up."

Maki sobbed, her voice breaking. "I never wanted any of this! I never asked for it! I only wanted to be with you... to be your friend!"

But Ayumi pressed on, her voice growing more chilling with each word. "Your habit of sneaking into the library, reading medical books, gave me the answer I needed. I found a forbidden scroll that spoke of outer gods, their vessels, and their bonds. Do you know what I learned? A vessel granted by an outer god is like a garment—it can be worn by another.

"That magic circle I used on you wasn't just any spell; it was a holy circle, designed to strip away the influence of Nur'miyatra. For just a moment, the bond between you and your body was severed. And when it was, I took my chance.

"Of course, your soul couldn't simply vanish—I needed to prepare a new vessel for you. My own body. Do you know how much I suffered for this? The pain, the agony, as I turned my body into something that could house your soul? I endured it all while my parents praised you, while my existence remained invisible. But it's done now. All that effort, all that suffering, has finally paid off."

Ayumi smiled—a cruel, victorious smile—as Maki, trapped in a body that no longer belonged to her, wept uncontrollably. The weight of betrayal and the crushing realization of her new reality pressed down on her like a storm. For Maki, the world she had known was gone, and for Ayumi, the bitter taste of triumph was her only solace.

The announcement came like a thunderclap, shaking Maki to her core.

The dōshin, holding the results of their divine inspection, proclaimed Ayumi—now in Maki's body—as the one bearing the gods' blessing. His voice echoed through the temple halls, carrying the weight of authority.

Maki, still disoriented and heartbroken by Ayumi's betrayal, couldn't react. But Ayumi, in a calm yet venomous tone, pointed to Maki and declared, "That girl is a cultist of an outer god. She has a magic circle inscribed on her back—proof of her heresy."

Maki's blood froze. "No! That's not true! Ayumi, please... stop this!" she cried, her voice cracking with desperation. She fell to her knees, pleading with her former friend. "Ayumi, save me... I don't understand why you're doing this, but we can fix this. Please!"

But Ayumi stood motionless, her gaze averted as Maki was dragged away by the guards.

In the temple, Ayumi sat in solitude. She sang softly, her voice trembling as she covered her ears, trying to drown out the muffled screams of Maki. For twelve excruciating hours, Maki's agonized cries echoed through the temple corridors, each scream a dagger piercing Ayumi's mind.

Memories began to flash before her eyes—memories she thought she had buried. She saw Maki tirelessly searching for her when they were lost in the forest, never giving up until they were safe. She remembered the nights when Maki stayed by her bedside, cooling her fevered brow and whispering words of comfort. Even in silence, when Ayumi had lost her voice, Maki had understood her like no one else ever could.

As Maki's screams continued, guilt and regret gnawed at Ayumi, threatening to consume her. She clenched her fists, her lips quivering as tears streamed down her face. "What have I done?" she whispered to herself, the weight of her betrayal pressing down on her like a suffocating shroud.

That night, Ayumi—now known only as the Miko—was summoned by Lord Kisuke Utakata. Before a gathering of soldiers and retainers, he officially proclaimed her as the Miko, a divine instrument of the gods destined to lead and empower his armies. She was stripped of her name, her identity, and any remnants of her former self.

Under Utakata's command, the Miko became a weapon of war, wielding her divine blessing to slaughter the lord's enemies. She despised him, but survival demanded obedience. With each village razed and each life extinguished, the Miko's hatred for herself grew deeper.

Years later, during a climactic battle against a cultist army, the Yarinaga faction—a small but ambitious rebellion from Kashima's region—rose up against Utakata's rule. The Miko saw an opportunity and proposed an alliance with Yarinaga, pledging her services in exchange for protection. Both sides shared a hatred for Utakata, and her offer was reluctantly accepted.

But even among her new allies, whispers and rumors surrounded the Miko. The Yarinaga leaders saw her as a dangerous figure—both an asset and a potential threat.

One fateful day, the Miko was sent to scout a refugee camp as part of her political duties. There, amidst the sea of despair, she saw something that shattered her fragile composure.

Maki—still alive.

Her face, once radiant, was now grotesquely disfigured. She was missing her left eye, both legs, and her left hand. Despite her injuries, she moved with determination, using crutches and the help of the refugees around her.

And she was healing them.

Though her ability to perform miracles had long since faded, Maki—now fully embracing the name Ayumi of Kishigata—poured her heart and soul into helping those in need. Her knowledge of healing and her unwavering kindness had earned her the love and respect of everyone in the camp.

Even the elderly, despite their frailty, chose to go hungry so they could feed Ayumi. Their devotion was palpable, their love for her unmistakably genuine.

The realization struck the Miko like a lightning bolt. All the love and admiration that Maki had received was never about her divine blessing or her role as a vessel. It was always about her—a person whose heart radiated compassion and selflessness.

The Miko's legs gave way beneath her as the weight of her sins came crashing down. The betrayal, the lies, the suffering she had inflicted—it all felt meaningless in the face of Ayumi's resilience and the unshakable bond she shared with those around her.

Tears streamed down the Miko's face as she whispered to herself, "I will never have that. No matter what I do, no matter how much I pretend... I will never be loved like her."

For the first time in years, the Miko—once Ayumi—felt the true depth of her loneliness and the emptiness of her victory.

The encounter between the Miko and Maki was fraught with silence, tension thick in the air. The Miko, trembling as she stepped closer, stood face to face with the woman she had betrayed so profoundly.

Maki, now a shadow of her former self but still carrying a radiant warmth, greeted her softly. "Oh... it's you."

The Miko's lips quivered, her voice breaking as she finally spoke. "Why... even after all of that?"

Maki tilted her head slightly, her disfigured face creasing into a gentle smile. "Why what?"

"Why don't you hate me?" The Miko's voice rose in desperation, her eyes glistening with tears. "Why don't you curse me for what I've done? I stole your life, your body, your destiny... and yet, even now, you... you don't..."

Maki's smile didn't falter. "Hate you?" she asked softly. "No. I don't have it in me to hate you. As you once said, this life was never truly mine to begin with. It was a gift—a borrowed gift from something far beyond us. So, I just live. That's all I know how to do."

The Miko's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching her head. "It's not fair!" she screamed through her tears. "All that I've done, all that I suffered... and it still wasn't mine! This body, this life—it was never mine! No matter what I tried, it always belonged to you!"

Maki leaned closer, her single eye meeting the Miko's tear-filled gaze. Her voice was calm, steady. "But even if I lost it... even if everything was taken from me... I still managed to save you, didn't I? With this body you now call yours, I saved someone who once meant the world to me."

The Miko stared at her in disbelief, her tears streaming unchecked. She stood abruptly, her fists clenched at her sides. "Whatever hope you hold for me, bury it," she spat. "Don't wish for my redemption. Don't hope for me to change. That's a kindness I don't deserve."

Maki watched her turn and walk away, her shoulders slumped under the weight of her guilt and self-loathing.

As the Miko disappeared into the horizon, Maki whispered to herself, her voice carrying a tinge of sadness yet also a profound sense of peace. "Isn't it just too long for you to live like this, then?"

She smiled again, a smile that held no malice or regret—just quiet acceptance of the life she had chosen to live, no matter how broken or incomplete it seemed to others.

.

.

.

.

Back in the present day, the air was tense as the kunoichi hurriedly informed Miko and Fallion about an imminent attack. Miko, with a commanding tone, instructed Fallion and his party to gather their belongings and make for the ship without delay.

Before they could fully prepare, a chilling voice echoed through the area.

"Ah, it's been a while, Lord Drake Blood," Rygs Lambert called out, his tone carrying a menacing familiarity.

Fallion instinctively turned to respond, but Dofan grabbed his arm, his face pale with fear.

"Stop!" Dofan hissed, his voice trembling. "Do you see them? It's not cultists or daemons this time... it's them. The Rift Occult Imperator Knights."

The group followed Dofan's gaze and froze in collective disbelief.

Twenty massive figures emerged behind Rygs Lambert. Towering at an imposing 2.9 meters, each knight was clad in unholy, gleaming black armor adorned with runic engravings. Their sheer presence dwarfed even orcs, and the aura they exuded sent chills down everyone's spines. Without a single word, the knights charged forward like a wave of destruction.

The samurai in the area, a contingent of 100 warriors, valiantly stood their ground to intercept the charging knights. Swords clashed and sparks flew as the samurai engaged, but the battle quickly descended into chaos.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, the twenty Rift Knights carved through the samurai ranks with terrifying efficiency. Their unmatched strength and near-impenetrable armor made them unstoppable juggernauts.

Amid the chaos, Fallion, Miko, the kunoichi, and their companions braced for impact. Each knew that even one Rift Knight was a formidable foe.

"We don't have time for this!" Miko shouted.

Fallion tightened his grip on his weapon, his resolve clear. "We don't leave anyone behind. Let's hold the line!"

As the battle raged, the Rift Occult Imperator Knights pushed forward, unyielding in their assault. Despite their superior numbers, the defenders found themselves increasingly outmatched. The clash between the two forces was nothing short of catastrophic.

What was supposed to be an escape had turned into a desperate fight for survival.

The battle raged fiercely as Fallion, Gaz'mirna, Miko, and the kunoichi faced off against one of the terrifying Rift Occult Imperator Knights. The ground trembled with each strike, the air thick with the clash of steel and the crackle of magic.

Fallion was the first to unleash his power. With a roar, he summoned his fully unlocked daemon magic, creating a colossal blade wreathed in black flame. The weapon towered over him as he swung it down with immense force, striking the knight's armored form. However, the knight responded without a sound, raising a spectral shield that glowed with eerie light. The shield flickered, blinding everyone around them for a brief moment, but the knight did not hesitate, charging directly at Fallion.

In that instant, Gaz'mirna leaped into action. Her massive axes swung with precision, landing a heavy blow against the knight, sending it crashing backward. But the knight was relentless. It quickly recovered, its hulking form rising from the ground as it summoned an energy shield and an energy mace, the power crackling in its hands. With a growl, it charged once again.

Fallion, unwilling to relent, summoned his daemon magic once more, casting massive black fireballs toward the knight. But the knight's shield parried the attacks with ease, absorbing the fire before charging toward him once again.

As the knight advanced, Gaz'mirna activated her fire cloak, enveloping herself in flames. She charged, her axes dancing in a deadly rhythm, clashing with the knight's energy shield. The sheer force of the knight's strikes gave it an upper hand, and Gaz'mirna was hit hard, her stomach taking the brunt of the blow. She staggered but didn't falter.

Just as it seemed like the knight was about to land a finishing blow, Dofan arrived. He cast a binding spell, summoning light spears from the ground, which pierced through the knight's thick armor, forcing it to halt momentarily. The knight struggled against the light, but it was too late.

The kunoichi, having prepared her power, moved in swiftly. She whispered the words of her deadly art, "Shadow Assassination Art: Flowing Pierce!" With a blur of motion, she struck the knight, her daggers slicing through its armor as if it were paper. Each stab seemed to flicker with light, piercing deeper into the knight's body with relentless precision.

The knight retaliated, swinging wildly, but the kunoichi was a blur of speed, dodging and weaving between its attacks. With each strike, the knight was slowly being worn down, its once-imposing form becoming less and less of a threat.

As the knight attempted to grab her, the kunoichi's form phased through the air, vanishing from sight for a moment. She reappeared behind the knight just as Miko released her divine magic. With a shout, Miko summoned her god's lightning arrow, a bolt of pure, divine energy that slammed into the knight, throwing it backward with such force that it was sent crashing into the ground, sparks flying from its broken armor.

Despite the fierce onslaught, the Rift Occult Imperator Knight managed to rise once more, its dark, mechanical form standing tall. The entire party was stunned, staring in disbelief as the knight, seemingly impervious to the punishment it had just endured, began to stir once again.

Fallion was the first to voice the shock that echoed in everyone's mind. "Seriously? No human would survive that much damage!"

The kunoichi echoed his disbelief, her voice filled with frustration. "My attacks should have put at least three holes in its head... How is this even possible?"

Dofan, still trembling from the earlier battle, was in awe at the sight of the knight's resilience. "How did Katherine manage to defeat one of these on her own?" he whispered in disbelief.

As the knight began to rise, Samhain from afar quickly gathered his power. With a roar, he summoned massive pillars of flame, engulfing the battlefield. "EVERYONE, GET ON THE SHIP NOW!" he shouted, urging the party to retreat.

The party began to move, but before they could make it to the ship, Rygs Lambert called down a devastating comet strike, separating Fallion and his companions from the others.

In the midst of the chaos, Fallion quickly turned to Dofan. "Take Gaz'mirna and the others to the ship! I'll handle this!" His voice was firm, as the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on him.

Gaz'mirna was reluctant, her voice filled with concern. "No, just leave me! Go, you need to escape!"

But Fallion rejected her plea with determination. "No! If we're going to face something like this again, we need as many hands as possible. We can't afford to leave anyone behind." He knew that every member of the team was crucial for their survival.

With that, Fallion found the kunoichi, and together they turned to face the knight that was still charging toward them. The battle was far from over.

In a moment of desperation, Fallion summoned the full extent of his daemon magic, transforming into his Daemon Form. As seen on the cover, this transformation was called Holy Daemon Ascension. His powers surged, but at a great cost: the transformation drained his energy and vitality, leaving him with a burning need to end this fight quickly.

The knight roared in defiance as it charged toward Fallion, its enormous form bearing down on him. Fallion wasted no time. He charged forward, his colossal blade crackling with dark magic, and exchanged heavy blows with the knight. The knight retaliated with its energy mace, each strike sending shockwaves through the ground.

The kunoichi, using her agility and quick reflexes, darted around the knight, throwing a barrage of spectral daggers at its armored form. The daggers pierced the knight's armor, cracking it open in several places, revealing weak spots. The kunoichi's strikes were like flashes of lightning, her precision impeccable.

As the knight struggled to defend itself against the relentless barrage, Fallion saw his opportunity. With a mighty roar, he punched the knight's chest with all his might, using the full force of his daemon strength. The impact created a massive hole in the knight's chest, the energy and magic rippling outward.

But Fallion wasn't done. With a final, defiant yell, he focused his daemon energy and caused the knight to explode from the inside. The blast obliterated the knight, sending shards of its dark, mechanical form flying in every direction.

Breathing heavily and covered in sweat, Fallion reverted to his human form, exhaustion and the toll of the transformation weighing heavily on him. The kunoichi quickly moved to his side, helping him as the two made their way toward the ship, as the miko running behind them

The ship sailed into the distance, its sails catching the wind as the crew scrambled to regroup. But the victory felt hollow. The weight of the moment—the brutal, senseless execution they had just witnessed—hung heavy on everyone's shoulders. Fallion and the kunoichi had barely made it onto the ship, their breaths ragged and their bodies exhausted from the battle, yet what they had just witnessed was far more harrowing than any physical fight they had endured.

As the Miko, the once-glorious vessel of divine power, leaped toward safety, Rygs Lambert's hand shot out, grabbing her long hair and ornament. The ship continued to move forward, but Fallion, frozen in horror, reached out as if to help her, his heart pounding in his chest. His instincts screamed to save her, but he was too late.

Miko's desperate cries shattered the moment. "HELP! PLEASE!! I DON'T WANT TO!!!" Her voice, filled with fear and agony, echoed in the air as Rygs mercilessly pulled her back. The sound of her screams filled the air as she fought against him, but he was too strong.

Without warning, Rygs began to tear her apart, one limb at a time. Her legs, her arms, and finally her hands. Each limb was violently ripped from her body. Miko's cries of agony pierced the air, but there was no escape. Her face contorted in pain, eyes wide in terror as she looked into the sky, her body barely clinging to life.

"Maki, help me... I'm scared... please..." Her last words were a desperate, broken plea for mercy. Fallion could only watch, paralyzed by the horror unfolding before him.

Then, with a final, merciless motion, Rygs pulled her head from her body. The party, watching from the ship, was left in stunned silence. Their hearts sank. The brutality of it all was too much to process.

Rygs, standing tall on the shore, looked up at Fallion and shouted from afar, his voice dripping with mockery and disdain. "What a waste, Mr. Drake Blood. I expected more from you. This woman is a sinner, just like your father. She had her chance to atone, but she missed it. Now the question is: What will you do? Think about it until we meet again!"

His words hung in the air like a curse, echoing in Fallion's mind long after the encounter ended.

As the ship continued to sail away, the surviving crew and Fallion were left reeling. The brutal, senseless death of Miko was a bitter reminder of the cruelty they were up against. But Fallion's resolve grew stronger in the face of such overwhelming despair. The death of his comrade, the devastation of witnessing Miko's suffering, and the cruelty of Rygs pushed him forward.

Though the night was dark and filled with pain, Fallion knew that this was only the beginning. The cruel journey they had embarked upon would be filled with trials far more terrifying than they could even imagine. But no matter how dark the path ahead, Fallion would find a way to save his brother and put an end to the horrors they were facing.

With a heavy heart, he whispered to himself, "God protect us... from what we will face in the future."