chariots

I don't have a father. No, to be honest, he's gone...

My father was a pilot. He fought bravely...

I'm thirteen years old. I live at home with my sister and mother, the three of us getting along well.

I hate my sister. She often makes fun of me and looks down on me.

Sometimes I wonder if there's anyone out there who doesn't make fun of me.

One day, I was reading a book alone at home. The title of the book was "The Pon's Vow."

I dreamt of Pon and Ponchi from the book, and when I woke up, I cried...

In this world I live in, there are people who have machines as their companions.

The machines that become companions are given souls and gain eternal life.

The machines were called "Chariots," and each person had their own, becoming a partner that protected each other's lives.

My father also had a Chariot. This Chariot, which protected my father's life, was his pride and joy; my sister, my father, and I all loved this blue Chariot.

It was painful for my father to say goodbye to his Chariot. It was worn out from long use. My father said goodbye to his Chariot.

And then I witnessed that scene.

The flames and the collapsing house. My childhood came to an end, and my father and our family were separated...

After my father was gone, the three of us somehow managed to live.

"Dad..." One day, as if by fate, I encountered that Chariot again.

Episode 2: "The Blue Chariot"

There are many pilots and chariots in the town where I live.

I also want to ride a chariot, but my father's will prevented me from doing so.

"You are forbidden from riding a chariot until your thirteenth birthday."

I broke that will and rode a white chariot once.

I got injured and was forbidden from leaving the house for a while.

After that, I envied the other people who rode chariots.

"It's today, isn't it?" my sister said.

I didn't say anything. Yes, today is my thirteenth birthday.

Hmm, the scenery beyond that town...

I was curious, so I decided to go. I must protect my sister...

There are two types of chariots. There are two types of chariots: the 'Type A Chariot,' which you ride and control, and the 'Type B Chariot,' which you control by giving commands.

I loved my father and his chariot.

I went to that place.

What I saw was... a giant, human-like woman? The building in front of me was being destroyed...

I heard screams. '...xx'...x xx' 'Mommy...xx'

I have to do something... I have to somehow resolve this...

'Gwaaaaaaaaaa...'

This is bad, at this rate, I'll...

Am I going to die... in a place like this...?

'Get in!' I heard a voice.

I opened my eyes wide and saw a blue 'chariot' standing before me, covered in dust.

"Who?"

"A chariot..."

"Whose?"

"It... lost its master."

"You want me to be its master?"

"That's the only way to fight."

"..."

"Hurry!"

I guess this is fate..."

"Gwawararaa!"

I jumped onto the blue chariot. The chariot faced forward, ready to confront the monster.

Episode 3: "The Blue Heart"

"Gwawaa Inside the blue chariot, there was no one but me. There was a control stick, a screen, several books, and some stored food.

"What do we do?"

"What can we do?"

"The chariot can fire cannonballs, tear gas, and hand-to-hand combat."

"Show me the cannonballs."

"Understood."

The blue chariot, its face becoming a little more serious, fired cannonballs at the large monster.

The monster did not flinch. The blue chariot bravely approached further and fired more cannonballs.

I was captivated by the scene before me.

The chariot's attack seemed effective. But the monster did not flinch.

Once it identified the chariot as an enemy, it began throwing building rubble at it.

"Watch out!" "

The chariot dodged quickly.

"Is there anything you can do?"

"No."

"You can do it..."

"Wait a moment."

Saying that, the chariot moved slightly.

The chariot fired another cannonball.

This time, it fired a fast, screw-like projectile...

The monster fell, and the battle was decided.

"That's good... We won..."

"Yes, we won... What's your name?"

"Mikazuki Takeru, and yours?"

"...Blue Eternity"

Episode 4: "The Vow"

After the battle, the chariot and I ate lunch in front of the ruined city.

I filled the chariot with oil, wiped it down with a rag, and then I brought food from the city and ate.

"Big brother..." I heard someone whisper.

I turned around and it was my sister.

"Mitsuki..." I said.

"Big brother, today's your birthday, right? The chariot was so cool..."

"Mitsuki, big brother has to say goodbye..."

"No... I don't want to, why? Why? Big brother..."

"But this isn't a final farewell... I promise I'll meet you again someday..."

"Big brother..."

"Oh... it's raining..."

I didn't know. The promise I made with Mitsuki was destined never to be fulfilled...

Episode 5: "A Journey for Two"

After a meal, Chariot and I parted ways with my sister and went to see our mother.

Our mother was at home. There was a hint of anxiety in her expression, but her lips were tightly pressed together, as if she had made a firm decision.

"Takeru..."

"Mom..."

"You've turned 13..."

"..."

"This... your father... gave it to you for your 13th birthday."

Saying this, our mother gave me a pendant. It was a blue pendant. It was translucent and shining.

"Takeru...it's dangerous to be in this town...you must hide..."

"But I have a mother..."

"You're a boy, aren't you..."

"Mother..."

I was on the verge of tears...

The blue chariot and I left town and set off on a journey westward. "Travel is more enjoyable with a companion."

I knew a poet who once said that.

We left town. The setting sun was shining, and the marching scene was like a painting.

"Chariot..."

"Yes..."

"The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" I'll never forget Chariot...and today...'

'Is that so...'

'Chariot...'

'...'

'Hey, a spring...'

Looking, a spring was gushing out off the path.

'Who is that?'

'Who could it be?'

There seemed to be a beautiful woman near the spring.

Episode 6 'The Spring'

'You two are...Takeru and Blue Eternity, aren't you?'

'Why do you know us?'

'Hehe...I know everything about you...'

'Why is that?'

'That's because...I'm a goddess.'

'A goddess?'

'What are you doing?'

'I know what happens after this.'

'What happens after this?'

'Yes.' "You will meet your first love."

"Hehe... Chariot-chan..."

"Goddess sister. I'm in a hurry..."

"Right. Well then, hehe..."

There was a sparse patch of moss near the spring. I wanted some fresh water. I was thirsty. But...

"Let's hurry on, Takeru."

"Yes, Chariot!"

The two left the place.

Episode 7: "The Fated Enemy"

Leaving the town, the two traveled along a pathless route, heading towards the town of Nigo.

The town's spire came into view. Just a little further. And then...

A mysterious tank was seen firing at Chariot. The red Chariot...

"Chariot!"

"Eternity! It's been a long time!" "

"What are you doing!"

"What, kid, I'm thirsty for blood."

"You want to fight us?"

"What, just a show of your face..."

"Red Chariot... Violet, and Kagemaru, haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"I want to fight you..."

"Is he strong? That person..."

"Yes, I've fought him on the battlefield."

...I felt a chill run down my spine.

Episode 8 "The Battle for Tomorrow"

On the battlefield, you don't speak. Knowing your location, understanding the place, the terrain of the battlefield—all are crucial elements.

If you can't surpass even one of these elements, you die. Death is the fate of humans.

"Chariot, what should I do?" "Move in an ellipse to get a sense of the position!"

"Got it!"

"This isn't a game!"

Artillery fire came. The chariot was hit and seemed to be in pain.

I don't know where we are. What should I do?

Wait, on that hill? ...Yes, that's a bad idea since the enemy will know that, right?

Maybe they've already taken the position?

"Taking the hill is important, but listen to my instructions!"

"Chariot, over there!"

"Impossible!"

"Wait! Can you get this sand?"

"What are you going to use it for? Impossible!"

"I have a plan."

The blue chariot blasted the ground of the hill with sand and dust, concentrating artillery fire in the resulting gaps.

I thought we could win. But the enemy didn't post.

The chariot forced its way in, rammed into the enemy, and knocked them down.

Someone jumped out and ran away in a panic.

"Leave something behind!"

"Shut up, take it if you want!"

"......"

At that time, I still didn't understand...the horror, terror, and yet the glory of war...

"It's over..."

"Yes, it's over...Takeru, your quick thinking was brilliant!"

"I wonder if there will be many more things to come?"

"Get a grip! You'll die if you don't!"

"Chariot..."

"Look ahead! We're almost in town! March!"

"Who's there!?"

"Brave blue chariot and soldiers! Submerge quietly!" "I'm going to burn down my hometown!"

We're about to learn how vast the world is.