Chapter 1 – The Beginning
Our story begins in a small, humble house on a green hill overlooking the blue sea.
In that house live a 16-year-old boy named Makama, and his elderly grandfather, Takushi.
Takushi, a man full of wisdom, with eyes that had seen far more than any ordinary person could imagine, stood quietly on the porch.
Takushi:
"Makama!"
Makama (calling from inside):
"Yeah, Grandpa!"
Takushi:
"Head down to the harbor and get some things from the market. Don't forget the fish – and I want some fresh carrots too."
Makama (grinning):
"Got it! Be right back!"
Makama ran out, tying a simple belt around his waist and placing a bandana on his head – a small mark of his usual trip to the village.
A light breeze followed him as he made his way down the hill toward the harbor.
The village was buzzing with the sounds of the open market – crowded stalls, the scent of spices, shouting, and bargaining.
Vegetable Vendor:
"Cucumbers! Corn! Fresh carrots, just today!"
Clothing Merchant:
"Hey, young man! Want a new scarf?"
Makama:
"No thanks. Just picking up groceries for my grandpa."
He approached the fish stand and began to haggle a little,
when suddenly — a black, filthy ship docked at the harbor.
Pirates — dressed in torn clothes and tattoo-covered skin — came off the boat, laughing loudly.
Pirate #1 (laughing):
"Catch this!"
He kicked a box full of clothes.
Clothing Merchant:
"Hey! Stop that!"
Pirate #1 pulled a gun and pointed it at him.
Pirate #1:
"You got a problem?!"
Clothing Merchant (terrified):
"N-no… take whatever you want…"
A small girl – the merchant's daughter – suddenly jumped up and gave the pirate a small kick.
Pirate #1 (angrily):
"You little brat!"
He raised his hand to slap her —
but suddenly, his hand was stopped.
Makama (standing in front of him):
"Leave her alone."
Pirate:
"And who the hell are you supposed to be?!"
Makama didn't answer.
He gently picked up the girl with one arm and placed her behind him.
The pirate aimed his gun —
but Makama ducked quickly, delivering a light kick to his knee and a clean punch to the chin.
But it wasn't over. Three more pirates rushed in.
Makama tried to fight, but they outnumbered him — and he collapsed.
At that critical moment — Takushi appeared.
Takushi (calm, but piercing):
"What's going on here? Didn't anyone teach you manners?"
In a flash, almost too fast to see,
he struck two pirates so hard they flew back.
The crowd stared in shock.
Takushi moved with elegant ease —
yet his power was clear, like an old volcano suddenly waking up.
The remaining pirates started to retreat —
and then came the heavy footsteps.
The Captain appeared — massive, 2.25 meters tall, wild long hair, a giant axe in one hand and a strange oversized gun on his hip.
Captain (furious):
"Running away?! Cowards!"
He shot one of the retreating pirates on the spot,
then marched straight toward the fight.
Captain:
"Grandpa or not – you're dead."
Takushi (with a small smile):
"You're big. Let's hope you're fast too."
The Captain lunged with his axe —
Takushi dodged, slid to the side, and kicked hard into his giant belly.
The Captain doubled over — then roared in rage.
Captain:
"I'LL KILL YOUUUU!!"
He started firing wildly in all directions.
Takushi danced between bullets, grabbed the Captain by the clothes —
and a fast, brutal brawl began.
Punches, hip throws, elbow strikes.
Takushi, not even using his full strength,
landed a crushing blow to the Captain's face —
sending him flying into the sea.
The Captain screamed and fled.
Evening.
Takushi and Makama sat down to a simple dinner: rice, fish, and hot tea.
Makama:
"Grandpa… who are you, really? How did you fight like that?"
Takushi (smiling, gazing out the window):
"I'm just… an old man who cooks well. That's all."
Night.
Makama slept.
Takushi sat alone, holding an old compass with a pendant and a photo of a mysterious woman.
He stared at it in silence.
Suddenly – the door burst open.
The pirates were back. Many of them.
Pirate #1:
"This time, you won't get away, old man!"
Takushi grabbed his staff and began fighting them inside the house —
but there were too many.
He managed to drive them outside.
A brutal fight erupted in the yard – punches, screams, chaos.
Makama woke up, saw the broken door.
Makama:
"What the hell?! Grandpa! I'm coming!"
He ran out —
and saw the Captain holding Takushi by the neck, slamming him to the ground.
Captain:
"Hello again, old man. I'll be taking this as payment."
From the shadows emerges a tall black shadow figure that stabs Takushi to death..
Takushi fell, severely wounded. and they disappear
Makama rushed to him.
Takushi (weak, bleeding):
"Makama… take this…"
He handed Makama the pendant with the compass and the photo.
Takushi:
"Follow it… find out who you really are…
And remember… stay kind… always…"
His eyes closed.
Makama cried.
Silent tears.
He stood up slowly, tying his bandana on his forehead.
Makama (softly):
"I'll keep the promise. You'll see.
Everyone will know who I am…"
He turned around,
looking at the burned house, the scorched ground —
then whispered:
Makama:
"But first… I'm getting Grandpa's staff back."
Makama walked into the night —
full of pain, but with a new determination in his eyes.
The sun was setting.
Soft earth was being carved by bare hands.
Makama knelt before a fresh mound of dirt, covered in stones and ash.
Beside the grave — a large rock, carved with one word by an old pocketknife:
"Grandpa."
Makama (internal monologue):
"It wasn't supposed to end like this.
You told me we'd go together, when the time came…
That you'd take me to that place. To the top."
He tightened the compass around his neck,
holding the wrinkled photo his grandfather left him.
"But now I'm the one who has to take you.
I'll bring back your staff.
And I'll carry it there — to the place you promised we'd reach together."
He paused.
The wind scattered a little ash into the air.
His eyes sparkled.
"And if, along the way, I find the truth about Mom… about Dad…
and about that crystal everyone's chasing —
maybe the pain will be worth it."
He rose slowly,
grabbing a small bundle on his back,
his eyes locked on the shattered town in the distance.
Makama (quietly):
"I'll come back here one day.
But when I do —
I won't be the same boy anymore."
Chapter 2 – The Boy Underground
A dense forest.
Sunlight pierced through the high canopy, casting scattered light on the ground below.
Makama moved between the thick bushes, sweat on his brow, his small bag bouncing slightly, and the compass swinging on his neck.
His eyes were sharp. Focused.
Makama (thinking):
"The gang that raided the village… they were seen hiding on a small island near the western cliffs.
If I can sneak into their camp at night… maybe I can get the staff back without a fight..."
He paused, kneeling to examine fresh tracks in the dirt.
Small feet, but heavy.
Makama (thinking):
"Guards? Or just someone out here to take a leak?
Either way… I need to be quiet."
Suddenly — a loud rustle behind him.
Makama spun around —
A massive brown bear stood upright, roaring with deafening fury.
Makama:
"Seriously?! A bear now?!"
The bear charged.
Makama threw himself into the brush, rolled, got back on his feet, and ran without looking back.
The bear thundered after him, crushing branches like toothpicks.
Makama leapt over roots, ducked under fallen trees, heart pounding.
Makama (panting):
"Grandpa always said – if you can't win… run smart! RUN SMART!"
Suddenly, he slipped —
his foot caught on an exposed root —
and he fell straight into a hidden pit, camouflaged under leaves.
A shout.
Darkness.
Echoes.
The bear stopped at the edge of the hole, growled, then turned and disappeared.
Silence returned to the forest.
Cut to black.
Makama lay on his back at the bottom of the pit, covered in dirt and leaves.
A soft ray of light broke through from above.
He coughed, groaned, and muttered:
Makama:
"If anyone's still listening up there...
next time, can it just be a bee?"
He slowly stood up.
Before him — a narrow underground tunnel, carved into stone.
Symbols and figures etched along the walls.
A new adventure… beginning in the dark.
The air was damp, and as Makama walked deeper into the passage, he smelled something strange — smoke, herbs.
Makama (sniffing):
"What is that...?
Is that... stew?
Someone's actually cooking underground?!"
He followed the scent slowly.
The walls turned rougher, makeshift wooden planks reinforcing parts of the corridor.
At the end was a rounded entrance into a small den —
A fire crackled in the center, a pot hanging above it, steam rising.
Weird cooking tools scattered around, a deer skull, and a straw mat in the corner.
Suddenly — a sound behind him.
Makama spun around, shouting —
and right then, another boy about his age jumped out of a side hole, holding a giant fork like a sword.
Boy:
"AHHHH! Who are you?! You're not taking my stew!"
Makama (jumping back):
"I don't want your stew! I'm not a thief!
And what is that, a titan's fork?!"
They froze, staring at each other.
Boy (squinting):
"Hmm… you look hungry."
Makama (breathing heavily):
"And you look insane."
Boy (grinning):
"Fair.
Wanna try some raccoon-root stew with forest smoke?
I call it: 'Despair Soup'!"
Makama:
"If it's not a bear…
I'll eat anything right now."
They sat near the fire.
Makama took a cautious taste —
and instantly gagged.
Makama:
"That's… surprising.
It's not awful. I mean, it still feels like it's cooking me from the inside — but it's not awful."
Boy:
"Thanks! I'm getting better.
You're the first to taste it and not pass out."
They laughed.
The fire crackled.
The silence between them was easy, warm.
The fire flickered, casting long shadows over the underground shelter.
Makama sat on a stone, trying to relax after the chaotic chase.
The boy eyed him curiously, still holding the giant fork.
Boy (eyeing him):
"You fall into my tunnel like you're a prince… or a falling tree."
Makama (muttering):
"Me? At least I don't jump strangers with cutlery."
Boy (smirking):
"This isn't just cutlery.
It's an ancient survival weapon, passed down by my grandma's friend's neighbor."
Makama (deadpan):
"Wow…
Family legends with fork weapons. You're really something."
They both chuckled, the tension slowly melting.
Boy (offering a hand):
"I'm Kyo. You?"
Makama (shaking it):
"Makama."
Kyo:
"I've been living down here for years.
Can't stand the people up there — too noisy.
Too many… bears."
Makama (laughing):
"Yeah, I get that."
Kyo's eyes landed on the compass around Makama's neck.
Kyo:
"Hey, what's that?
Cool accessory.
You lost?"
Makama (sighing):
"Not exactly.
I'm on my way to retrieve something that was stolen from me.
Something important."
Kyo (leaning in):
"Stolen? Like… treasure?
A weapon?
A snack?"
Makama (half-smiling):
"More than that.
A staff — it belonged to my grandfather.
He was a warrior."
Kyo (interested):
"A warrior, huh?
Sounds like an adventure."
They sat in silence for a moment, the firelight soft on their faces.
Kyo:
"Hey, if you want — I can help.
I know this area pretty well."
Makama (pauses, then smiles):
"Could be useful.
I'll need all the help I can get."
The fire crackled again.
Makama noticed strange drawings on the walls — odd figures, symbols of animals, and painted stripes.
Makama:
"What are these drawings?
They look like… stories or something."
Kyo's eyes darkened just a bit.
Kyo:
"They're from my tribe.
The one I came from.
We used to be many, but…
not everyone there wanted me."
Makama (surprised):
"Why not?
What happened?"
Kyo (quietly):
"I was different.
Always looked weird to them.
My heart didn't beat the same rhythm.
They didn't like my questions… or my path.
They said I didn't belong, even though I was born there."
Makama (soft voice):
"I know that feeling.
Sometimes… being different hurts the most."
Kyo:
"Yeah.
I ran away.
Lived alone in the wild.
These drawings… they're all I have left of them.
Marks they left behind."
They sat together in silence.
It wasn't just a journey anymore — it was something deeper.
Kyo (curious):
"So… tell me, Makama.
What's your plan?
How exactly do you plan to get your grandpa's staff back?"
Makama (sighs):
"I'm not entirely sure yet.
I know the pirates who stole it are keeping it in their camp.
But I don't know how to get in without being spotted… or killed."
Kyo (smirking):
"You're swimming in deep waters, kid.
But I've got a few ideas.
I know the trails, the traps, even some of the people up there.
Maybe I can help you sneak around without getting caught."
Makama:
"I'll need that, honestly.
Can't do this alone.
And… thanks, Kyo."
Kyo (grinning):
"Don't mention it.
Every warrior needs a wild card by his side.
And in my case…
I'm just looking for some good old-fashioned chaos."
The two laughed.
For the first time in a while, Makama felt like he had a real teammate.
Kyo suddenly pounced, grabbing Makama by the shoulder.
Kyo (grinning wide, slightly threatening):
"From now on, you and me — besties! No escape, buddy.
Besides… my last best friend?
He vanished."
Makama (shocked):
"What?! What happened to him?"
Kyo (proudly):
"I cooked him.
Yep. That's our raccoon stew."
Makama stared at the bowl of soup, then leaned far away from it, twitching as a bit of broth splashed onto his shirt.
Makama (shaking his head, laughing):
"You're serious?! You cooked your best friend?!"
Kyo (laughing):
"Not really.
He was a real raccoon.
But now, he's the tastiest stew you'll ever eat!"
They burst out laughing together.
The fire roared gently between them.
Two boys.
One journey.
And a new bond, forged underground.
Chapter 3 – Stolen Fire
The night was quiet, broken only by the rustling of trees and the distant calls of birds. Makama and Kyo crept through the shadows of the forest, their movements silent and sharp.
Kyo (whispering):
"It's way too quiet... This is when the traps show up. And the crazy guards."
Makama (nodding):
"I still can't believe they took my staff. We need to find it before they break it."
They moved cautiously through the brush. Suddenly, Kyo threw out an arm to stop.
Kyo:
"Wait! You hear that?"
Footsteps. Nearby.
The two dropped low behind a thick bush, eyes locked on movement ahead.
Makama (whispering):
"Pirates?"
Kyo:
"Yeah. Two guards, switching shifts."
Makama took a deep breath. Kyo leaned in, grinning.
Kyo:
"There's a shortcut through the swamp near here. I know a secret path. Follow me."
They slid through a maze of reeds and wet branches, ducking under vines.
Makama (whispering):
"Any clue where they'd hide the staff? If we get it, everything changes."
Kyo:
"I hope so. Let's keep moving."
As they neared the heart of the camp, torches lit up the paths and pirate voices grew louder. Kyo stopped Makama and pointed.
Two pirates sat by a fire, eating and arguing.
Pirate 1 (Benji):
"If I get assigned chicken duty one more time instead of raiding ships, I'm quitting."
Pirate 2 (Dongo):
"And go where? Open a carrot shop in town?"
Benji:
"Hey! Carrots have potential, okay?!"
Dongo (laughing):
"Only potential I see is the guy who brought the pot with no lid! We're eating rain stew!"
Benji:
"I used to be a real warrior, y'know... Until the captain made me bucket manager."
Dongo:
"Maybe 'cause you're great at spilling it."
They burst into drunk laughter.
Kyo (whispers to Makama):
"With guards like these, no wonder we stole their frying pan last week."
Kyo suddenly spotted something: a pile of pirate clothes by a nearby tent.
Kyo (grinning):
"Check that out! Disguises. We dress up, sneak in, grab the staff. Easy."
Makama (hesitant):
"You want me to wear that? Smells like wet socks and bad decisions."
Kyo:
"Better stinky than stabbed."
As they moved toward the pile, Benji stood up to relieve himself—right near them. The boys froze.
Benji (mumbling):
"Another night, another bottle... Tomorrow I'm quitting. Maybe."
CRACK. A twig snapped under Makama's foot.
Benji (turns):
"Who's there?!"
Kyo quickly tossed a rock in the other direction. A soft crash echoed.
Benji:
"What the..."
He stumbled off to investigate.
Kyo:
"Now's our chance."
They grabbed the clothes and changed fast. Kyo put on a torn hat, Makama wrapped a cloth over his face.
Kyo:
"Not perfect, but we look messy enough."
Makama:
"I feel like laundry in a hurricane."
They slipped into the pirate camp. Fires burned, barrels rolled, drunk voices echoed. Makama tried to keep his disguise steady. Kyo walked like a drunken idiot.
Random Pirate (waving):
"Hey! You two from Captain Axor's ship?"
Kyo (improv master):
"Yeah! He sent us to... uh... check the stew."
Pirate:
"The stew?"
Kyo:
"He thinks there's... too much mole in it."
The pirate burst out laughing.
Pirate:
"You guys are nuts! Grab a bowl, then go take more barrels to the storage hut. Captain's orders."
Makama (whispering):
"Now we work here?"
Kyo:
"Hey, we're getting closer."
They walked toward the central storage building. The door was ajar. Inside: shouting.
Captain Brutax (furious):
"What the hell?! Who moved the east-side barrels?! They go near the ship, not the damn toilet!"
Green (his officer):
"Yes, sir... It was crew two's mistake. I—"
Brutax (throws barrel):
"I don't care who! Next one moves a barrel without my word… I'll turn them into kabobs!"
Makama froze. Kyo swallowed hard.
Brutax:
"Tonight we hit Tenro Town. We burn it. We take every coin. And we raid the main warehouse. Make sure they remember my name... by what's left."
Green:
"Intel says the town's barely guarded. Perfect score."
Brutax:
"They all are. Until they're not. Get the crew ready. We hit like a storm."
Makama turned pale. He whispered to Kyo.
Makama:
"They're gonna wipe out the whole town..."
Kyo (serious):
"Well, at least now we know their plan. Question is... what do we do?"
They backed away from the door.
Makama (nervous):
"I… I'm not ready for this. They're too many. That captain's a monster. I'm just a kid."
Kyo (putting a hand on his shoulder):
"Everyone's scared, Makama. But if we don't stop them, Tenro is gone. Sometimes, we fight because no one else will."
Makama spotted something.
Makama:
"The staff! It's on the table!"
They crept closer.
Brutax (laughing):
"This little stick? The old fool must've thought it was magic. Looks like a toothpick to me."
Green:
"No value, sir. Just junk."
Makama clenched his fist.
Makama:
"I'll get it back. For my grandfather. For Tenro."
Brutax retired to his room, dragging the staff with him. He placed it beside his massive axe and turned off the light. Green remained nearby, muttering to himself.
Green (muttering):
"I just want to go home... live a quiet life again. I'm tired of this madness."
Makama and Kyo hid in the shadows, planning.
Kyo (whispering):
"We wait till he's asleep. Then we strike. Quiet. Precise."
Makama:
"I can distract Green. It might help."
They circled to the back of the building, spotting a tiny window hidden behind thick vines.
Makama inhaled deeply, eyes firm with resolve.
Makama:
"Ready?"
They climbed silently. Inside, Brutax snored loudly, axe in hand.
Kyo slipped first. As he stepped in, Brutax rolled over and grabbed Kyo in his sleep, hugging him like a stuffed bear.
Makama (panicked):
"Kyo?!"
Frantic, Makama searched the room and found a pouch of black pepper. He grabbed it, turned, and whispered:
Makama:
"Hold on, Kyo. This might burn."
He blew the pepper straight into Brutax's nose.
ACHOO!
A massive sneeze erupted. Brutax's grip loosened. Kyo wiggled free, fell off the bed, and scrambled to Makama.
They snatched the staff and bolted.
[Image Panel: Makama and Kyo walking through the forest. Sunlight peeking through the trees. Kyo walks behind, watching Makama who now holds the staff tightly.]
Kyo:
"So... what's with the stick? You hold it like it's a legendary sword."
Makama (calm, not turning):
"It's not just a stick. It's a memory."
Kyo:
"Right. But it looks like... just a stick. No flames, no carvings. You act like it's sacred."
Makama (softly):
"It's all I have left of him."
[Kyo looks at him, then lowers his gaze.]
Kyo:
"...Sorry. Didn't mean to poke the wound."
Makama (half-smiling):
"It's fine. He'd probably laugh if he saw me lugging it around like some ancient relic."
[They continue walking. Birds chirp, forest calm.]
Kyo (grinning):
"So, what now? Where to, Captain Makama?"
Makama:
"Wherever the compass points. But first... we protect the town."
[Background: the city rising