"Blood and Honor in the Crimson Court"
In the fractured realm of Yurekai, where the skies burn red and spirits whisper through the bamboo forests, the ancient code of meritocracy reigns. Power is not inherited—it is earned, often at the edge of a blade.
Riku, a half-Oni warrior with crimson eyes and a jagged horn broken in battle, stood at the foot of the Scarlet Summit. It was here the Merit Trials were held, where warriors from every corner of the empire fought for a seat in the Crimson Court. Victory meant power, status, and a voice in the fate of Yurekai. Failure meant death or disgrace.
Riku had trained under both human swordmasters and demon sages. His soul was torn between the disciplined grace of the blade and the untamed rage of the Oni. To many, he was a contradiction—but in the Meritocracy, strength was all that mattered.
As he ascended the summit, Riku faced challengers one by one. A silent priestess with blades that sang like wind chimes. A cursed prince whose armor was forged from the bones of dragons. Each fight pushed Riku to the brink, forcing him to confront not just his enemies, but the chaos within.
In the final trial, he faced Ayame—his childhood friend turned rival. Her blade moved like water, her resolve like steel. As sparks flew and blood stained the earth, the two warriors fought not just for the throne, but for what they believed justice should be.
When Riku finally stood victorious, his body broken but his spirit unyielding, the Crimson Court bowed not to his lineage, but to his merit. The Oni within him roared in triumph—not for conquest, but for honor earned.