It began with Shakiro at the front gates of a tower, looking at the landscape behind him and seeing innocent people dead and dying while dragons and monsters caused chaos across the land. Suddenly, a huge shadow covered Shakiro's body, and he felt an overwhelming aura. As Shakiro heard a voice behind him say, "Finally, I found you," he jumped back a few feet and turned around as fast as he could... Here begins the journey of Zataria's Last Light.
In Zataria, a war called the Prisma raged, leading to the brutal deaths of millions, involving the Zatarians and the Nitharians (the Zatarians were also aided by the Vampires). The Zatarian race had bright coloured hair of different colours, they also had a darker skin tone while the Nitharian race were creature like humanoids. Multiple villages across the nation were destroyed. This war was unlike any other, but amidst the chaos, a clash between two powerful beings unfolded: Shakiro (A Zatarian) and Naburo (The leader of the Nitharian's).
Shakiro: (Angry) You don't understand, NABURO! You will not hurt these innocent people or my FAMILY anymore! You've done enough damage already.
Naburo: You understand just fine, Shakiro! I haven't even begun to cause enough damage. I won't stop until all of Zataria is DESTROYED!!!
Shakiro and Naburo face off, clashing their fists without showing any signs of weakness. Suddenly, Naburo rushes at Shakiro, delivering a powerful blow to the gut, sending him flying through three mountains and cracking the fourth upon impact, shaking the landscape. As Shakiro hits the fourth mountain, he becomes stunned and is unable to move. Naburo walks away, heading toward a tower where a mysterious woman awaits. As he approaches, he sees the woman placing two newborn babies into a woven basket. But before she could...
Naburo: I'll slit those babies' throats just as I will do to yours.
Saruo (The wife of Shakiro) jumps and turns around, seeing Naburo.
Saruo: Stay back!
Naburo: Fight back; I'll kill you. Don't fight back; you'll make it easy for me.
As Naburo says this, Shakiro rushes in and punches Naburo so hard in the face that he crashes into a wall, cracking it upon impact and landing on the ground. Naburo shakes his head and gets back up after a few seconds.
Naburo: Did you actually think that would work?
Shakiro: Stay away from my wife and family, you DEMON!!!
Naburo: You know those babies of yours won't have much longer to live. (Begins casting something.)
Before Shakiro can react, Naburo stabs him in the upper right side of his shoulder with his mist sword, causing Shakiro to fall to a knee.
Saruo: NOO!!! SHAKIRO!!!!! (Rushes to him.)
Naburo: Weaklings! You are nothing more than low-lifes breathing air. Now give me those babies so I can eliminate them.
Saruo turns to Naburo slowly as her hair begins to glow a vibrant shade of pink. She raises her hands as if to summon something, calling down a lightning strike directly onto Naburo. The impact is so forceful that he is thrown out of the tower, crashing to the ground.
Naburo: That bitch!
Sauro rushes to the woven baskets containing the babies and places them on a teleportation pad, each accompanied by a note. She presses the button to send them off. As Naburo regains his footing, he looks up to see the woven baskets soaring into the sky and realizes they are the Zatarian babies.
Naburo: NOOOOO!!! YOU IMBECILE!!
A triumphant smile spreads across Sauro's face as she watches the baskets being sent away, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Naburo: (yelling at half of his army) GO AFTER THEM!! YOU WORTHLESS BASTARDS!!!!
Naburo leaps onto one of his dragons while his army charges forward on land, and the dragons take to the skies in pursuit of the two babies. Sauro glances around for Shakiro, but he is nowhere to be found.
Sauro: (muttering to herself) Make sure he doesn't get to our babies. (pauses) I should get out of here while I still can and help anyone else.
She takes off to assist the injured as Naburo's army rushes toward the babies in the sky. However, on their way, they notice a brilliant blue light in the distance and wonder what is racing toward them.
Few Soldiers: What the hell… (in unison)
Before they can finish their sentence, their heads are sliced clean off in an instant. (Heads roll on the ground)
Shakiro appears, wielding a light spear. Naburo's army surrounds him as Naburo lands in front of Shakiro on his dragon.
Naburo: SHAKIRO… YOU'RE FIGHTING A WAR YOU CANNOT WIN!
Shakiro: (bleeding from his shoulder) Stay the hell away from MY KIDS!!! YOU BASTARD!
Naburo: SHAKIRO… YOU WILL WATCH YOUR BABIES DIE BY MY HAND.
Naburo gathers enough mist power in his palm and, in an instant, throws a blast toward the babies. Shakiro attempts to intercept the blast, but Naburo's army prevents him from getting close. Suddenly, one of Naburo's dragons unleashes a fire blast at Shakiro. He dodges it, leaps into the air, and hurls his spear with blinding speed, colliding it with Naburo's blast. The resulting explosion separates the babies and creates two massive dimensional portals; one baby is sucked into the left portal, while the other disappears into the right one.
Naburo: DAMN IT!!!
Shakiro: (talking to himself) Be strong, my boys; may we meet again.
Naburo dismounts from his dragon and fixes his gaze on Shakiro.
Naburo: You just keep messing everything up, don't you! I wanted to kill you as a prize, but it looks like that's not happening anymore.
Naburo conjures his mist shadow swords, impaling them into Shakiro's body. Shakiro coughs up blood and spits it on the ground in front of Naburo's feet.
Shakiro: NABURO! I thought you were stronger than this; you can't even kill me.
Naburo: Shut up!
Shakiro uses his light powers to pulse all the mist swords out of his body, then rushes at Naburo and headbutts him. Naburo is stunned but quickly regains his footing, grabs Shakiro's arm, pulls him toward him, and throws him away, sending him crashing to the ground.
Shakiro: Uhhh.
Naburo walks over to Shakiro.
Naburo: I'LL MAKE SURE YOU DIE BY MY HAND!
Shakiro gets up and summons his light spear, prompting Naburo to create a mist scythe as they clash weapons.
Naburo: You don't understand anything!
Shakiro: I understand more than you know!
Naburo: NO, YOU DON'T!!
Naburo pushes off Shakiro just as Shakiro throws a pulse blast at his face.
Naburo: AHH!!
Shakiro creates a massive pulse ball, as big as a meteor. He sends it hurtling toward Naburo, crushing everything in its path. Naburo stands his ground as the blast makes contact, resulting in a massive explosion that sends smoke billowing everywhere. As the smoke clears, Shakiro sees a mist ball from which Naburo emerges, appearing perfectly fine.
Naburo: I told you already, you can't win a war you've already lost.
Shakiro: (Talking to himself) Uhhh… My attack didn't do anything; my body is weakening from all the damage I've taken.
Naburo: It's time for you to disappear.
Naburo raises his hand and commands his army to attack him with everything they have. The army opens fire with guns, power blasts, fire blasts, and arrows, shooting nonstop and creating a thick cloud of smoke.
Shakiro: Uhhh…
Shakiro raises his hands to block their attacks, but it's not enough.
Naburo: Enough!! (The army stops on command)
As the smoke slowly fades, Shakiro is still standing, covered in bullet holes, burn marks, and what looks like twenty or more arrows shot through his body. Shakiro starts to laugh menacingly.
Shakiro: N- (spits blood).
Naburo: You just won't die, will you?!!
Naburo slowly walks over to Shakiro, standing above him and looking down.
Naburo: Tell your brothers I said good riddance.
Shakiro: N-Naburo…
Naburo: Huh…
Shakiro: My kids are going to rip you apart…
Naburo: Goodbye, Shakiro…
Naburo uses his mist power to form another mist sword from thin air. Looking down at Shakiro, he drives the sword straight through Shakiro's heart, pinning him to the ground and leaving him to die.
Shakiro: (Talking to himself) Good luck, my sons. It's up to you now. (He smiles as he passes away).
After a few seconds, a soldier walks up to Naburo, visibly shaken by what he just witnessed.
Soldier: (Scared) Umm… Naburo? What do we do now?
Naburo swings his sword at the soldier, instantly severing the top half of his body. He then turns around and shouts at his army.
Naburo: WE ARE GOING TO FIND THOSE KIDS AND KILL THEM!!!
Army: YESSIR NABURO!!! (All stomp on the ground in sync and chant NABURO! NABURO! NABUROOO!!!)
The army marches away, heading back to finish the fight, but before Naburo leaves, he notices Shakiro's blue light fading. Naburo extends his hands as Shakiro's power flows out of him and into Naburo's grasp, allowing him to absorb Shakiro's abilities. As he does, Naburo feels a strange sensation for a few seconds, and his hair flickers from bright red to white.
Naburo: I will find your kids, Shakiro, and I will kill them.
Naburo walks away. Meanwhile, the two brothers are pulled through separate dimensional portals. Upon landing in different locations, one brother finds himself in a kingdom surrounded by hills and forests, while the other lands in a shanty village that is far from pleasant. The day darkens as the two brothers are separated. Zodiac chooses a path leading toward a kingdom, his bright white hair flickering like a star in the night sky. People in the kingdom begin to notice, looking up in wonder.
Person 1: Hey everyone, look at the sky! What is that?!
Person 2: What!? It's just a normal star.
Person 3: Maybe it's a star that grants wishes!?
Zodiac plummets closer to the ground at a rapid pace. Flames engulf him like a meteor about to crash. He burns hotter and gains speed until he finally hits the ground near the kingdom's outer walls, creating a massive explosion that leaves a sizable crater and sends shockwaves throughout the area. A random middle aged woman rushes to the crash site and is taken aback by what she sees—a baby with bright white hair shining brilliantly. She picks up Zodiac and begins to inspect him as his hair fades to light brown.
Mysterious Woman: How in the hell? HOW IS THIS BABY EVEN ALIVE!? IMPOSSIBLE!
Moments later, she feels a vibration behind her. Turning around, she sees a massive horde of civilians rushing toward the crash site.
Civilian 1: Over here! We're getting close to the crash site!
Mysterious Woman: Well, I guess today is your lucky day, kiddo. (She smiles and grabs Zodiac.)
She dashes away with Zodiac, leaping from the ground into the trees, jumping from branch to branch to evade the pursuing horde. The civilians shout in an attempt to catch up.
Civilian Horde: Don't let that person get away!!! WE NEED ANSWERS!!!
She glances back at the horde, noticing more people joining the chase.
Mysterious Woman: What a pain. Don't these people have anything better to do? I think it's time to lose them, don't you think, little one? (tickles Zodiac) Weird, no laugh from you, huh? You're a strange one, aren't you?
She begins to increase her speed tremendously, making it even harder for the horde to catch up. She goes so fast that it leaves a dust silhouette of her and Zodiac. After a few seconds, she finally loses them, taking Zodiac into a small house that is secluded and surrounded by trees. She enters, closes the door, and locks it with an enchantment so no one can get in.
Mysterious Woman: Well, that was a bit of fun just now. It's been a while since I got some cardio in. But I'm still trying to figure out where you came from, little one.
As she sets him down on a bed, she notices a strange symbol on his neck.
Mysterious Woman: What is this? I've never seen this kind of symbol before…
Zodiac opens his eyes and sees the woman in front of him for the first time, silent. The Mysterious Woman looks confused but laughs at the same time.
Mysterious Woman: It's unbelievable that you haven't cried once, considering what I've seen. What have you been through? What are you? So many questions! But at least I can tell you're a boy.
She smiles as she looks into his eyes.
Mysterious Woman: I'm going to make you one of the deadliest assassins that ever lived! Just you wait. Oh, what's this note? Seems your name is [Zodiac Yoshido] (12 months). Now that's the name of an assassin! My name is Mizuda Aruma. Nice to finally introduce myself, and I'm glad to be your master. As Zodiac lands in a kingdom, Daru is flying in the sky, encased in a purple light with his hair flickering purple. He falls at top speed and lands in a village that is unpleasant to the eye. Daru rushes down to the ground, landing near a pond, and the mud crashes beneath him, sending a huge vibration throughout the village.
Person 1: Woah! What was that?
Person 2: Yeah, I felt that too.
Person 3: Ehh, it was probably nothing; keep working.
As he lands, the purple light surrounding him fades, revealing Daru with dark hair. Daru screams and cries, but no one is nearby to hear him. One day passes, and a woman heads to the pond. She usually makes her way there, helping people by gathering firewood and giving food to children, receiving thanks from everyone as she goes. When she arrives at the pond, she begins to fill the bucket she has brought. While filling it, she hears a distant cry that sounds like a baby. Curious, she wanders toward the sound. As she gets closer, she sees a woven basket containing a baby and a note.
Woman: Oh my! Where did you come from? Have you been out here all alone? How are you even alive? Did your parents leave you here? Oh wait, there's a note.
She picks up the note and reads it. It says, "If you are seeing this, you are responsible for my child. The boy you see in front of you is named [Daru Yoshido] (1 year)."
Woman: Daru Yoshido? Why would someone just leave you here?
She thinks about what to do with him.
Woman: Oh man, what am I going to do with you? I can't just leave you here!
The woman decides to take him back to her house to ask her dad for advice. She starts walking back and eventually makes it inside.
Woman: Dad? DAD!!!
Dad: Ahh!!! What do you want, Zenshi? I was just sleeping in peace!!!
Zenshi: Umm, I found a baby.
Dad: (rushes downstairs) A baby? Who's the father?
Zenshi: I don't know, but I found him at the pond when I went to get water.
Dad: Well, where's the water? Because I don't see it in your hands.
Zenshi: Oh, now that I think about it, I forgot it at the pond.
Dad: Well, go get it, and you're not keeping that baby in this household.
Zenshi: What? I can't just leave him out there all alone.
Dad: Zenshi, I don't care. It's either you get rid of him, or I will.
Zenshi: Okay, fine, I'll put him back at the pond.
Dad: Good. And don't forget the water bucket.
Zenshi: Yes, Dad, I will bring him back to where I found him.
Zenshi leaves the house, contemplating what to do because she is determined not to return Daru to the pond. She thinks of someone who could help her and starts walking to the other side of the village toward a small house. She knocks on the front door and waits, but there is no answer; she knocks again.
Zenshi: Hello?
After a few more seconds, she calls out again.
Zenshi: Hello?!?
Getting annoyed, Zenshi walks around to the back of the house and sees a middle aged man sleeping in a chair.
???: ZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzz.
Zenshi approaches the man in the chair.
Zenshi: (yells) Rito!!
Rito jumps awake, startled and ready to fight.
Rito: Ahhh!!! Who's there!? You wanna fight? Come on, assholes!!!
Zenshi: What? No, it's me, you idiot.
Rito: Oh, it's just you, Zenshi. How's it going?
Zenshi: Are you drunk again, Rito?
Rito: What? No! What are you talking about? (falls over and goes back to sleep)
Zenshi: (growing angrier) RITO, GET UP!!
Rito jumps up again.
Rito: Huh? Who's there? Who wants to fight!!!
Zenshi: You seriously need to stop drinking. Anyway, I need you to do me a favor.
Rito: What? What favor?
Zenshi: This. (pulls up a basket to reveal a baby)
Rito: Aww, She's so cute.
Zenshi: It's a boy, Rito! (slaps her forehead)
Rito: He is?
Zenshi: YES!!
Rito sobers up a little.
Rito: Okay, okay, my bad. What do you want me to do with a baby?
Zenshi: I need you to keep him here.
Rito: What? Keep him here? I can't do that.
Zenshi: Well, you have to, because you owe me. I got you beer last week.
Rito: Dammit, you're right. Okay, fine, I'll do it.
Zenshi: Thank you. (smiles)
Zenshi hands the baby over to Rito.
Zenshi: Okay, I'll come every week to see him.
Rito: Okay, and how long is this supposed to last?
Zenshi: I don't know yet, but I gotta get back to my dad to give him the bucket of water. I left it at the pond, so bye, see you next week!!!
Rito: Ahh!
Zenshi runs off to get the bucket of water while Rito is left holding the baby. He looks at the baby and smiles, but the baby starts to cry loudly.
Rito: Ohh, man!
As the kids land in these different worlds with people training them, their journey is now underway…