Chapter 0-1

Lance
The Bladesmen, Scarlet, Azure, Olive (Shenji), and Ivory, are introduced during a mission to stop a human trafficking syndicate in Azahara 'Ard. They stop in the desert to rest for the night.

Shenji has grown fond of Lance, who is the only one who is willing to listen to his rambling stories. Shenji is a crazed man with stories of gods and chaos. The others think he takes religious beliefs too far. When people insult his beliefs, people end up dying in his fits of rage. But when Lance does so, he doesn't mind. He will show Lance one day. Lance will learn.

During the night Shenji wakes up from a nightmare. He looks over to see Lance awakening too. Like grasps Lance's hand like a gremlin would and guides him through the forest. With light fading the deeper they got, an abyss eventually surrounded them. Lance thinks he is dreaming until a figure appears his neck begins to feel like its collapsing under a magical weight.

The Mysterious Apparition greets Shenji who he had once met 20 years ago. Lance is awestruck as the figure gives the proposition of becoming his Chosen Soul. Lance suffers visions inflicted on him by Somnium. He sees a flashes of grotesque grey beast named the Alpha Sprite. Lance agrees to do so only out of fear. Somnium departs and Lance mentally breaks down, gathering his strength to kill Shenji and flee the forest to warn the other Bladesmen.

Times

 * January 28th, 334

Characters

 * Scarlet
 * Lance
 * Ivory
 * Shinji
 * Somnium