Burn Black

The bandits, still chasing after Kami, spill out of the forest, searching every direction. Hidden atop a tall tree, Kami watches them fan out below.

"You guys head that way, and we'll go this way." They split into two groups.

The branch Kami's perched on begins to crack. Before they can spot him, Kami strikes first.

Alone against the crowd, he moves through them with precision—striking nerve points, dodging attacks with ease. All the while, he hums a tune under his breath.

When the dust settles, Kami stands tall. The bandits lie motionless on the ground.

"You brat! I swear, when I catch you, I'll kill you!"

"You'll have to catch me first." Kami teases, sticking out his tongue.

He sprints out of the forest and finally spots buildings in the distance.

"Finally… a kingdom." He heads toward it, hopeful. "I hope it's the one Uncle told me about."

Upon arrival, Kami finds himself swept into a crowd. People push past him; he bumps into several.

"Hey, come on now."

He smiles and greets people, but to the kingdom's citizens, he seems strange. No one engages.

"Hi! I just want to know what kingdom this is." They ignore him, quickening their pace.

"They won't talk to you, you know," a voice says behind him.

Kami turns to see a girl—likely his age, but her clothes suggest otherwise.

"People here don't take well to strangers. Especially ones who look like they might be bandits."

"I actually am a bandit! How did you know?"

Everyone around them stops. Whispers fill the air.

"Did he say he's a bandit?"

"Someone call the Order!"

A man in uniform appears, sword drawn and pointed at Kami.

"You! What's your name?"

"Kami Van Hellsin. Nice to meet you."

"Okay, Kami Van Hellsin. Did you just claim to be a bandit?" The man looms over him, tall and intimidating.

"Yes, I did. I'm going to be the King of Bandits—just like Gio Van Nics."

The crowd gasps. Whispers intensify. The girl behind him shakes her head.

"Is this guy actually stupid?"

"King of Bandits, huh... Well, you'll never live long enough to see it. I'm placing you under arrest—punishable by death."

"Death penalty? I didn't even do anything!"

"You did. In Elden Kingdom, all bandits are sentenced to death." He presses his sword to Kami's throat.

"Oh no, not again!" Kami flips away just as the man strikes. "Come on, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm just looking for a crew to roam with."

"All Order members—capture that ratchet bandit!"

"Okay, okay! I'll leave!" Kami bolts, the soldiers in pursuit.

He scales a building, perches above them, waving and mocking. He laughs as he darts across the rooftops.

Suddenly, the same man lands in front of him—creating a crater in the roof.

"Whoa, how'd you make that jump? I guess you're super strong, huh?"

"You're not escaping. You'll die by my sword."

"Haha, no I won't." Kami leaps from the roof, landing smoothly below.

"Now you've done it, pest!" The man growls as Kami escapes.

Laughing, Kami runs—until a hand yanks his jacket, dragging him into an alley. He reacts swiftly, twisting free and landing behind his attacker.

"Oh... it's you." It's the girl he met earlier. She looks confused.

"Shhh." She presses a finger to her lips. They hide as soldiers rush past.

She grabs Kami's hand, pulling him as they flee the kingdom gates. They reach the edge of the woods. She removes tree branches, revealing a small Gravetread.

"You really did it now. The Order's after you."

"I didn't do anything! I just said I want to be King of Bandits."

"King of Bandits," she mocks. "You don't even know what that means."

"I do! I'm gonna be like Gio Van Nics."

"Whatever."

"Anyway... what's your name?"

"Ava."

"Ava—cool name. I'm Kami Van Hellsin."

"I know. You shouted it back in the kingdom."

"Right." Kami offers her his hand. "Ava, want to join my crew?"

"What crew?"

"My crew."

"You don't have a crew."

"Then be the first member." He grins.

She stares at his smile, then takes his hand.

"Hell, I've got nothing to lose anyway."

"Great! Welcome to my crew, Ava." He looks at the Gravetread. "Is this yours?"

"Yeah."

"It's so small."

"It's all I've got, jackass!" She gives him a playful shove.

"Yeah, whatever."

They climb aboard, Ava starts the engine, and together they drive away from Elden Kingdom.

"Alright, let's set sail!" Kami stands dramatically at the front, pointing ahead.

"Idiot. We're not pirates—we don't sail!"

"Oh, right. So... what do we say?"

"The hell should I know?! You're the captain!"