Prologue
Long ago, when the realm was first formed, a benevolent king and his four sons ventured upon a vacant land and sought to rule over it.
King Yasu and his four sons: Bentarou, Mizuki, Haru and Kimura made their way on horseback into the realm now known as Arazua. Arazua was vast, wide, unconquered, and untouched by human kind. The king and his sons smiled to each other as they gazed upon the land before them, happy to have found such a place to cultivate and build their kingdoms.
King Yasu decided that he would split the realm between the brothers and give them each land to reign over. Despite possessing no magical energy himself, the Gods had blessed each of his sons with immense stores of it along the gift of casting. Each of them possessed their own unique skills and strengths to help keep the realm strong.
To his eldest son, he gave the land in the south. Bentarou, a tall, gruff, dark haired man with dark brown eyes that were solemn and silent, had magical energy that was strong and indestructible like iron. He ruled on his throne with deep bitterness. For the land he had been given was desolate and destitute with no means for crops to grow or even a single flower to bloom. His father reasoned that as the eldest, he was more adept to handle the difficult terrain. This ignited a deep rage within him; a flame that was fanned and rose quickly.
To the king's second eldest son, Mizuki, he gifted the land to the west where waterfalls and rivers flowed in abundance. Mizuki, whose long blonde locks and pale blue eyes gave him the look of angel, ruled his land with bright kindness. His magical energy was calm, and serene like the tranquil waves of the ocean. The sky and the waves favored his kingdom.
For his third eldest son, Haru, the eastern most region where the sun rose the brightest. Haru was all brawn with crimson curls, pale jade eyes and freckles that spread across his fair cheeks and nose. He ruled his land with a fair mind and strength. His magical energy burned like the blaze of the sun, warm yet dangerous at the same time. His land was favored by the sun and lush fields that allowed for crops to grow in abundance.
To his last and most beloved son, Kimura, he gave region to the north where the grass was lush, trees grew tall, and deer roamed freely. Kimura was a benevolent leader who had kind eyes and a soft smile. He was beloved by all who knew him. His magical energy was soft and gentle like the cool morning breeze.
And so the king, who loved his sons with all he had, sat back happily as they ruled over the land in peace. Only, he could not see the fire that had been ignited, nor could he stop it from rising.
Legend told of an amulet that held great power. Forged in fire by Akuma, the demon of destruction, to bring suffering and death unto the mortal world in order to defy Tenshi, the God of peace. Akuma set out to doom humankind, cursing the amulet so that whoever should obtain it would grow mad under its influence and seek power above bonds. It was said that whoever shall possess the amulet would have power beyond anything the realm had ever seen.
Upon learning of the amulet, the benevolent king's sons set out to find it under the guise of keeping the realm strong; only, each had their own ambition propelling them forward. Kimura, however, did not share the same ambitions. He was gentler, kinder, his heart was more pure than his brothers.
"If I find the amulet," he said, "I shall destroy it. No mortal should have that much power."
Kimura then decided to travel alone so that he might find the amulet and destroy it before his brothers laid hands on it. He took with him no men, no army, nor a weapon to protect him. And once Bentarou caught wind of this plan, he began to stalk his brother, ready to strike him down at any moment. Funny, isn't it? That such a small trinket could cause such destruction, such devastation, and such discord.
Eventually, Kimura found the amulet and set forth to destroy it as he had planned. However, Bentarou, who had been following him, confronted him.
"Give me the amulet!" He shouted, "You have no use for it!"
"Brother, listen to me! This amulet is not right. It is full of dark magic! It wishes to possess you. It demands a sacrifice to be able to wield its power. No man has need of such power!"
The brothers argued, and Kimura attempted to flee with the amulet. Only, he was not quick enough. Bentarou captured him, tied him down, and took the amulet. He held it high above him to admire it. The cold, silver chain glimmered and the ruby gem stone that rest in its center was deep red, like the color of blood. It gleamed in the darkness, holding Bentarou in a trance.
"It is finally mine," he mumbled softly as he looked at the amulet. "All mine. I shall rule over this entire realm, and my people shall no longer suffer!"
Kimura tried once more to reason with his brother, to warn him of the dangers the amulet possessed. Only, it fell on deaf ears as his brother had lost all reason. Bentarou glared at Kimura, his blood lust getting the best of him.
He then took out his dagger and slowly walked towards his brother. He lifted the blade high as Kimura gave him one last pleading look. Bentarou did not hesitate and plunged the dagger into Kimura's heart. Eager to gain the amulet's power, he murderd his beloved brother in cold blood.
Only after seeing Kimura's cold, dead body and the blood on his hands did he snap out of his trance. He then became washed with guilt as he began grieve the fate of his younger brother, cradling him in his arms as he wept.
As Bentarou mourned, his men attacked him, took the amulet for themselves, and fled. And, once his brothers discovered the death of Kimura, they sought out revenge for their beloved brother.
The poor king, who loved his sons more than anything, became sick with grief and eventually died. Meanwhile, his three remaining sons became mortal enemies to one another. The realm became divided, and has remained so until this very day.
Yet, what of the amulet? No one truly knows what became of it. Some believe that it was destroyed while others believe it is hidden away in one of the kingdoms, lying in wait for someone to wield its power and unleash terror unto the realm the likes of which no man nor beast has ever seen.
