500 Years Ago | Japan | Dragon Shrine
Moonlight seeps through cedar rafters, spilling across a polished floor. At the far end of the shrine, a throne rises from marmor. A man sits upon it, draped in a midnight cloak and wearing a pointed black magic hat. Two spectral black-dragon wings shining from his back. A stone shield leans beside him, "Ryu" is carved deep in that shield.
Below him, two disciples kneel.
The first has hair white as frost and silver eyes like heavy winter.
The second disciple has crimson hair, a strong jaw, and a beard.
The first disciple bows. "Master Ryusaki, you have slain civilians. Your power is slipping beyond control."
The second disciple slams a fist to the floor. "Loyalty is everything— do not question him!"
Ryusaki's voice is deep and understanding. "You are both correct. Killing the innocent is deplorable… yet necessary. And yes— the dragon within me grows wild but I am still in control of myself Kibo and thanks for your unwavering loyalty Akai, my son."
Akai and Kibo trade a glance, their mutual hatred sparking like flint.
One Year Later | Mage City of Emberium
Emberium stretches for several kilometers like a grand metropolis, blending japanese and european architecture. At its center stand marble towers crowned with copper spires, light-colored bridges made of stone that cross rivers, and ten-story libraries high. Japanese adepts mingle with European scholars.
The streets bustle with magical students from diverse backgrounds, all dressed in robes— some marked with dragon runes, others plain or adorned with arcane circles.
At the heart of the city, a circular fountain sprinkles water. Sitting upon its rim is Oda Nobunaga— a daimyō— dressed in traditional robes. He waits, gaze fixed on the dragon-carved avenue.
Ryusaki approaches with measured steps. At the fountain's edge, he bows deeply. "An honor, Nobunaga."
Nobunaga smiles. "Call me Oda, old friend."
They sit side by side.
Nobunaga's brow furrows. "I'm close to uniting Japan, yet the mage clans ignore my banners. Their domains sprawl across the land and their loyalties fracture like glass. I need unity."
"And you would need me to end their feuds." Ryusaki says, cold and menacingly .
Nobunaga nods once. The fountain water murmurs behind them, echoing the weight of what's to come.
Present Day | White Dragon Estate – Ritual Hall
Ruin listens with folded arms as the elders recount the clan's history.
"So our origin goes back to Oda Nobunaga's time," she says, intrigued.
Jonas corrects her gently. "Not exactly. We aided him in his dream of unifying Japan— but we've existed far longer."
Jessica adds, voice low, "But things… didn't unfold as planned."
Estelle's gaze hardens. "That failure is why we hunt the Red Dragons to this day. This cursed breed!."
Past | Japan | Northern Village
Rice fields once green now glow orange in flames. Mages in black robes— Ryusaki's disciples— sweep through the smoke, hurling fireballs. Amid the chaos, a woman with snow-white hair cradles two lifeless children. Frost bursts from her kimono's sleeves, icing over everything she touches.
Ryusaki lands before her, crimson cloak flaring, spectral wings unfurled.
"You want peace." he says, voice like distant thunder. "Then do not resist."
The woman's grief twists into rage. "They were my children! You murdered them!"
A blizzard roars from her lungs, shards of ice turning the air white. Ryusaki extends a hand. "Tachi."
A black blade materializes in his grip, absorbing the cold. One strike ends the storm.
Aftermath
When the smoke clears, the woman lies unconscious at his feet. Villagers kneel in trembling rows; others lie frozen where they fell. Ryusaki surveys the devastation, a raw burn of ice blistering his arm.
"That is the price." he mutters. "Mages will forge unity— by any means."
He looks at the burn, then at the weeping survivors and to the fallen woman. "Someday." he tells whispers, "even the yōkai will stand beneath one banner."
The Same Era | Dragon Shrine, Late Night
Paper lanterns sway as Ryusaki bows opposite Oda Nobunaga.
"My friend." Oda begins.
"Yes, Oda?" Ryusaki inclines his head.
"More mages pledge to our cause each day." the shogun says, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. " We will end these needless inner wars."
Ryusaki nods. "We will not erase their traditions— only reshape their purpose."
"Exactly." Oda leans forward, voice eager. "I want to create two orders. First, the Guardians— to shield us from the supernatural. Second, a Mage Foundation in Japan— to nurture civilian prosperity and vanquish evil forces. Both must serve the people."
"A worthy plan." Ryusaki agrees.
The sliding doors burst open. Five dark- and red -haired children tumble in, escorted by four women wearing fox masks. Their laughter fills the shrine.
Oda chuckles. "Your children, Ryusaki."
"And my wives." Ryusaki admits, smiling despite himself. "Stealth was never their strength."
Oda's smile fades to curiosity. "If you fall, who inherits your throne?"
"Each child will guide a branch clan." Ryusaki answers, "But the eldest will lead this one."
"So you mean to divide your power." Oda muses.
Ryusaki's grin turns playful. "I intend to have many more children, old friend."
Oda bursts into booming laughter. "As expected of you!"
Two little boys dash over. Oda rests a gauntleted hand on each of their heads.
Mage City Emberium | Grand Collegium Library
Akai and Kibo— one red-haired, the other snow-haired— crouch in hiding. From their vantage point, they barely glimpse the library's inner sanctum through ironwork doors.
Inside, tomes drift in lazy constellations above a marble war-table. Ryusaki faces two mages. The first is a youthful woman—raven-haired, in a midnight dress and crimson stockings, a skull-shaped pin glinting in her hair. The second is a tall, orange-haired man in a heavy coat swirling at his boots, his amber eyes shining through the room.
Ryusaki's tone is curt."So, Celeste— you propose folding Japan into the global mage society."
Celeste meets his gaze. "The Headmaster believes it is vital. Eastern mages should stand with us on the world stage."
A thin smile curls Ryusaki's lips. "No interest. My dragons are strong enough— Japan will lead its own mage society."
Jakarta slams his fist on the table. "Strength is irrelevant, Ryusaki! Mages must pursue evolution, not cling to this idiocy."
"The japanese mages— my dragons— will rule." Ryusaki repeats with a firm voice.
Celeste's eyes flash scarlet. She spreads her arms. "Mephisto."
Darkness erupts behind her. An avatar of the Reaper materializes— towering, with a scythe of black and crimson.
"Change your mind." she warns, "or I'll reset this society to zero."
Ryusaki laughs and steps forward. "I do not fear the Reaper. I will welcome him to my realm."
White and black wings— scaled like living obsidian— burst from his shoulders.
Jakarta thrusts both arms between them. "Zeitspinner—Absolutes Null!"
Time snaps back; the shadows collapse, wings fold and Celeste's avatar vanishes in a single breath. The room falls deathly quiet.
"Enough." Jakarta growls. "Celeste, we're leaving."
Ryusaki with an arrogant smile "Wise choice. Another second and I'd have killed you both."
Celeste and Jakarta, exiting past Akai and Kibo without a word.
Outside, the two young disciples trade uneasy glances.
Kibo whispers, "Was it truly the right decision?"
Akai's crimson eyes flick toward the library doors. "I don't know but it's what my father— our master— wants."
Kibo shakes his head. "They talk of unity, yet if we keep clinging to old traditions, we'll fall behind every other mage nation."
"Be loyal, Kibo."
"Question more, Akai."
Both sigh, doubt coiling in their chests.