{Flashback — The Devil War}
The crimson King's Mantra of Dravon erupted like a wild god's roar, shaking the Navy Headquarters to its very foundation.
The sky cracked.
Rubble rained down like judgment from the heavens.
The ground trembled as if the world itself was breaking apart.
Navy soldier Otone Jerome froze in place, his ears ringing violently. His skull throbbed as the pressure of the King's Mantra crushed down on his body.
"I… I feel sick—" he coughed, blood spilling from his lips as he collapsed to his knees.
The island shook harder.
A pirate charged toward him, blade raised.
"Die, Navy scum—!"
But the pirate suddenly stopped.
Above them, a massive chunk of rubble descended, swallowing the sky.
The pirate leaped back in terror.
Otone felt a sudden shove.
His body was thrown away from the falling debris.
"W—what…?" Otone's eyes widened.
THUD!
The rubble slammed into the ground.
A scream tore through the battlefield.
"AAGH!!"
Otone turned.
His brother lay crushed beneath the stone — legs gone, back shattered, blood pouring freely as rain mixed with red beneath him.
"BROTHER!!!" Otone screamed.
His brother smiled weakly through the blood.
"My little brother…" he whispered. "I'm glad you're safe."
Otone crawled toward him, shaking.
"Someone—someone help! Please! Help my brother!!"
No one came.
The war raged on.
Screams, explosions, steel — all drowned out Otone's cries.
"I'm sorry…" his brother said softly. "I don't think I can stay with you anymore."
Otone shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face.
"No—no—please—don't leave me—!"
"If you see mom," his brother continued, voice trembling, "tell her… I lived my last moments protecting my little brother."
He smiled again.
"Become strong. Stronger than me."
"I love you."
The weight pressed down harder.
"AAGH!!!" his brother screamed as the rubble crushed him further.
"BIG BROTHER!!!" Otone cried, his voice breaking apart.
"Don't leave me! Please—take me with you!"
His brother laughed weakly.
"Don't be stupid…"
His eyes slowly darkened.
His head slumped to the ground.
Silent.
Otone felt something inside him collapse forever.
Rain poured from the sky — but to Otone, it felt like blood was falling from the heavens.