Years ago, the royal family of Aradia has been usurped by Yoshimitsu Kaidou, the kingdom's advisor and executed...all except for the princes of Aradia, Ban Yamano and Arata Yamano. They have escaped and hidden in the forest for years along with their friends. Now, they are the leaders of the rebel group, Aidara. Their goal is to reclaim the kingdom and allow Ban to ascend the throne.

Aidara- The rebel group who opposes Kaidou Yoshimitsu's rule on Aradia. Most of the time, they live in nearby towns and live their daily normal lives except for the higher ranked members for obvious reasons. However, when called, they will gather in the inner part of the forest and plan their next move there for days depending on whatever they are planning on.

Ban Yamano- Former prince of Aradia. Along with his brother and best friends, Kazu and Ami, he started the rebel group Aidara to reclaim the kingdom and avenge his parent's death. As the leader, he is kind and compassionate and refuse to fight unless necessary.

Arata Yamano- Former prince of Aradia and younger brother of Ban. He is very smart and is good in thinking up strategies although he could be an airhead at times. Along with his friends, Haruki and Hikaru, he is a skilled fighter. Best in handling a sword and shield

Kazuya Aoshima- Bodyguard and best friend of Ban, lover of Ami. His parents were the ones who helped Ban and Arata to escape during the final battle between Aradia years ago. He is also the second in command of Aidara. Best in using a spear.

Ami Kawamura- Advisor and best friend of Ban, lover of Kazu. Ami followed Ban and Kazu into the forest after her parents were killed in the final battle. As Ban's advisor, she gives advice to Ban and helps Arata to plan his strategies.

Hikaru Honshihara- His parents were servants to the late king and queen and therefore grew up with Arata. When Yoshimitsu Kaidou took over the kingdom, he was among the children of the servants who managed to escape. Joining Aidara, he practised constantly to hone his skills. Best in handling daggers.

Haruki Izumo- Also a child of the servants of the palace, he managed to escape during the war and hid with Arata and Hikaru. He is more of a strategist than a fighter, but gives support to Arata and Hikaru whenever possible. Best in handling a sword.

Ran Hanasaki- Member of Aidara. Ban took her in after her grandfather was executed for not able to pay his tax. She trained in her grandfather's style of hand to hand combat to honour him. Best in hand to hand combat.

Hiro Oozora- Ran's friend who had no idea she was a part of Aidara until she accidentally blurted it out. Ever since then, he was sworn to secrecy and helps Aidara pass on information around as a normal commoner to avoid suspicion.

Hanzou Gouda- The hunter of Aidara. He is responsible along with Hana to gather food for the group whenever they are gathered together in the forest. Best in using a crossbow.

Asuka Kojou- The tomboy of Aidara. Her brother is the local blacksmith of Misora Town. Most of the time, she lives in the forest instead of staying with her brother. Best in using a spear.

Takeru Kojou- The blacksmith of Misora Town. He acts as the middle person to deliver Hikari's findings on the palace to his sister who would inform Ban.

Hana Kayagi- The other hunter of Aidara. Normally, she is a friendly and kind teacher who teaches a group of children; but when Ban calls for her to Aidara's meetings, she is very cold and emotionless. She hates owing people. Best in using a bow and arrows.

Sakuya Hosono- He is in charge of creating Aidara's weapons and their blacksmith. Also the apprentice of Takeru.

Hikari Honshihara- The youngest member of Aidara and Hikaru's younger twin. Currently, she is working as a servant in the royal palace, sneaking information to Takeru whenever she can. Has a small crush on Muraku.

Kaidou Empire

Yoshimitsu Kaidou- Former advisor of the king and queen of Aradia until he usurped the throne and got rid of the royal family except for the princes who managed to escape. For years, he ruled Aradia by being a tyrant. After he became king of Aradia, he adopted Jin and Muraku and made them the princes of Aradia.

Alfedo Gardyne- Aradia's governor and Yoshimitsu Kaidou's most trusted official.

Bishop- Mayor of Misora Town.

Tougorou Kamiya- One of the king's advisors. He often urges his son to get married soon.

Seredy Kriesler- One of the king's advisors. Although he looks like he's 16, he is actually a lot more older than that.

Kousuke Kamiya- A knight of Aradia and lives in the palace. Tends to flirt with Hikari although she made it clear that she dislikes him.

Jin Kaidou-Prince of Aradia. He may seem cool on the outside, but in reality, he is very kind to others especially to his brother, Muraku. On his eighteenth birthday, he is to be crowned king of Aradia and ascend the throne.

Muraku Kaidou- The other prince of Aradia, though he prefers to travel a lot. His only friends are Vanessa, Mikhail, Kageto and occasionally, Hikari. Has a small crush on Hikari.

Yuuya Haibara- Jin's bodyguard and best friend. Ever since his parents died in the same accident as Jin's parents, he has been living in the palace and trained to protect Jin.

Jessica Kaios- Jin's personal servant and friend. She often gives Jin advice whenever needed.

Vanessa Gala- Muraku's personal servant and one of his oldest friends. Her parents, like her, are servants in the palace, and wants her to have a life outside the palace but she refused to stay close to Mikhail and Muraku. Has a crush on Mikhail.

Mikhail Rourke- Muraku's bodyguard and best friend. Loves to travel with Muraku and hunt. Has a crush on Vanessa.

Kageto Kiba- Son of the blacksmith of the palace. He is in charge of sharpening Muraku's weapons and creates new ones for both Jin and Muraku.

Others

Yuno Kashima- Princess of the neighboring kingdom, Odela.

Catherin Ruth, Hanako Sonoyama, Kiyoka Sendou- Yuno's servants

Daiki Sendou- Kiyoka's brother and Yuno's bodyguard. Has a rivalry with Gouda.

Claudia Renneton- Ruler of Wecasta. She used to be an ally and friend of the former king of Aradia. However, when Kaidou Yoshimitsu took over the kingdom, she cut off all relation and trade with Aradia.

Prologue

Screams can be heard as more soldiers were being killed outside the palace. The king and queen however were still remaining calm in the throne room.

"Your highness, please escape while you can!" A servant, Honshihara, mother of Hikaru and Hikari, plead to the king and queen as she rushed inside the throne room.

The king shook his head. "We will stay here to the very end. Just make sure that our sons escape safely."

"But, please, your highness..."

"That is an order." The king told her firmly. "Get my sons and all the children in the palace out of here. Do it for the sake of your children."

"...Yes, your highness." Honshihara bowed and rushed out to gather all the children in the cellar.

"Aoshima, are all the children here?" Honshihara asked her fellow coworker as she held on to her twins tightly.

Aoshima nodded. "They are all that are left. Ban, come here."

Ban immediately went to the front. "Hai?"

Aoshima crouched down to the child's eye level and saw the fear in his eyes. "Listen closely, we are going to get all of you out of here. Bring your brother and the others to the forest as soon as you reach the exit. Be strong and look out for everyone there."

Ban nodded limply. "Mom and dad are not coming?"

Aoshima shook his head. "No, their first priority is you and your brother to escape."

Honshihara glanced out of the window and gasped. "There's not much time left. They have broken through the gates."

Aoshima nodded and pushed a stone and a trapdoor opened. "Ban, get your brother. Kazu, take Haruki. Ami, bring Hikaru and Hikari."

The children did just as they were told and Aoshima gave Ban some final instructions. "Ban, go down this tunnel. It will lead you to the outskirts of the forest, from there, gather more people and fight the bad guys. Take back the throne. Your father will be proud of you."

Ban nodded sadly and turned to Kazu and Ami. "Let's go."

Kazu gave his father one last look before he descended into the tunnel while Ami followed behind, blinking back her tears. Lastly, Ban tugged on his brother's hand to get him to go down the tunnel but Arata burst into tears. "I don't want to go! I want Mommy!"

Ban threw Aoshima a frantic look. They were not going to get anywhere if Arata does not move. As a last resort, Aoshima lifted Arata up and placed him on Ban's shoulders. "GO!"

Ban nodded and with his brother thrashing on his back, he descended into the tunnel. When Aoshima was sure that Ban was gone, he closed the trapdoor and smashed the stone that would open the trapdoor. "That should stop them from finding the trapdoor."

Honshihara blinked back her own tears and nodded. "I hope so."

"Ban-nii-san, I don't want to stay here! I want Mommy! I want Daddy!" Arata screamed as Ban ran down the tunnel with Kazu and Ami following closely behind. Ban sighed and slowed down a little.

"Arata, I understand that you don't want to be here. I do not want to be here anymore than you are." Ban shifted so that he can look at Arata. "But, remember, mom and dad wants us to escape so that we will be safe."

"But..."

"I promise, no matter what happens I will be here to protect you just like how mom and dad protected us." Ban told him firmly. Arata stared at his brother of a moment and slowly nodded. "Ok."

"Ban, we should hurry." Kazu told him when he and Ami caught up. "The explosions are getting louder."

"Ah." Ban shifted Arata again so that he was positioned comfortably on his back.

"It's ok, Arata. It's ok..."

"...-rata! Arata!"

Arata jumped awake as the voice became more insistent. "What is it?!"

He heard a chuckle from his brother as he sat down beside him on the bed. "Having a nightmare again?"

Arata nodded, not looking at Ban. "I was dreaming...about that time...again."

Ban's face became serious. "And?"

Arata buried his face into Ban's arm. "I miss them." He murmured.

Ban stroke his hair. "I miss them too. But remember, they are always watching us. They are protecting us up there as we speak."

Arata looked up at his brother with watery eyes. "Are you sure?"

Ban nodded. "I'm sure. Get some sleep now. Good night."

"Good night."

Author's note: There will be some parings like Mikhail/Vanessa, Muraku/OC, and there might be a Jin/OC paring, but I'm not sure yet. Also, please let me know if you like it.