Episode 1

**The Promise That Started It All** (はじまりの約束, *Hajimari no Yakusoku*) is the 1st episode of Giant Beasts of Ars anime series.

## Synopsis

A young escapee and a listless hunter meet by chance, unaware of the covenant that will soon bind them.

## Summary

On a battlefield, a giant monster is approaching some soldiers. A Paladin tells his partner the Legend of Ars and how in ancient times the gods created those monsters to devour the world. However, he doesn't continue the story, stating that she won't be able to stomach it. The soldier shoot a large spear at the monster. The spear sticks, but slowly comes out, revealing the monster is unharmed. Seeing the soldiers are about to be killed, the Paladin decides to help them. His partner warns him that the Empire still haven't paid them. The man doesn't care and activates his power, Anthrovincia, merging with his partner. He then immediately freezes the monster. The soldiers see that he is a Paladin and celebrate. The monster manages to free himself from the freeze, but the Paladin then jumps and kills it.

30 years later, in a fort near the sea, Kiris checks the cell where Kumi is held. As he checks on her, she blows away the door, knocking him down. While she escapes, she heads to the kitchen first to grab some food and then proceeds running. Kiris reports to his commander that the prototype had escaped and get yelled to capture her. They corner her on the top, but Kumi then jumps into the water.

Kumi swims to the docks and climbs on one of the boats. She sees a man on it, Jiro, who is drinking and greets him before continuing to run. Moments later a boat with guards comes and asks Jiro if he had seen a girl and he tells them that she headed towards the town. In town, Kumi runs into a woman, making her drop her basket with flowers. Kumi apologizes, but as the woman states that isn't enough, Kumi offers her to pay. The woman then introduces her as Kumi the Spunky and wonders what is the girls name, however as she doesn't reply and seeing her all wet, she decides to take her home to help her. Kiris and Gun report to their commander Mezami that they still haven't capture the prototype. Angry, he orders them to use all resources to find her. Meanwhile, Kumi the Spunky gives the girl a new dress. Kumi thanks her and then leaves happily.

In the morning, Jiro walks around town. Mya, a young girl sees him and wonders if he is a giant beast hunter. Jiro confirms and wonders if she knows where he can get some job. Mya tells him that a group of hunters will be leaving afternoon from the Eastern Gate. Jiro asks about the reward and then leaves. Mya finds her a place and opens her stall. Soon Kumi comes looking at the goods that Mya sells and Mya tells her the item she is looking is a gem from a giant beast, Gladion. Kumi wonders what is a giant beast and Mya explains that its a monster that roams around this parts, which can tear down the wall and invade the city, but that's why there are hunters. Once the monster is killed, they can gather gems and oils from it. The people around here are making their living with products that mainly come from giant monster parts, except the Empire has dibs on the best stuff. Mya states she doesn't like wasting her breath and asks Kumi to buy something. Kumi then wonders about the ring on the cat's pawn and Mya states its a Ring of Promise. An ancient item said to whoever wears it is sworn to become the Savior of Ars, and rescue the world from certain doom. Kumi wonders if she just needs to wear it, but Mya explains that only one person in the world can fulfil the promise, but at the same time its also a cursed ring as it slowly drains the life of whoever wears it. Kumi tries to put it on and the ring reacts and gets in her finger and then activates and shines. Kumi wonders if she is now cursed. Mya is surprised, but explains its just an old legend.

At the Eastern Gate, a soldier is collecting the names of the hunters. Jiro wonders why his name matters and the soldiers explains that the city will pay for his funeral. Jiro then gives his name as Jiro the Already Dead. Ahlim the Lightning laughs hearing his awful nickname. But Ahlim and Gonk the Stonecutter assure Jiro that their job is simple and all they need to do is lure the beast and herd it towards the wall.

The Empire wants to unify Ars. Tsurugi explains that this year there is a rise of the giant beasts and its better to not split their forces. Her worries are dismissed by another person who states that the barbarians are also under attack of the giant beasts. And this is the best time to strike the barbarians. After the meeting, Sharuto asks Tsurugi of how things went. Tsurugi is angry as their Emperor doesn't understand how many casualties their people will suffer.

A boar-like giant beast appears. It uses its tentacles with drills points to dig the ground and eat some minerals. The men find him and manage to lure him towards the wall. However as it gets close, the beast injures Ahlim. Jiro then jumps down and manages to save the man from the beast before it kills the man. The rest of the hunters then shoot and kill the beast. Later the hunters celebrate in the bar and Ahlim thanks Jiro for saving his life, stating he should the "The Lighting" and Ahlim be "The Already Dead".

After the celebration and the hunters falling asleep, Mezami visits Jiro and states Jiro reminded him of a Paladin. Mezami explains that the giant beasts aren't humanity's true enemy and soon a war will split Ars into two factions. When that happens, they will need strong fighters like Jiro. However, Jiro states he got the wrong man and leaves.

Mya wonders if Kumi has a place for the night, but hearing she doesn't, she offers her to come at her place. Soldiers then show up and recognize Kumi and start chasing her. Eventually the men shoot arrows at Kumi and as they hit her, a black mist come out of her wounds. The mist then touches the men and turns them to black ash. Kumi starts shining and turns bright orange. At the same time, a headless humanoid giant beast also approaches the city. Jiro hears the tremors and comes out of his boat and sees the shinning Kumi at the docks. That instantly reminds him of his past and Toka.

The men decide to continue shooting at Kumi, but Jiro comes and saves her. As he grabs her, she turns to normal and he jumps with her in the water. Underwater, he kisses her forehead, which then shines. The two find themselves in a new place and Jiro introduces himself as Jiro the Already Dead. Kumi states she is know as Twenty Two, but thinks for a moment and tells him he can call her Kumi the 22nd. Jiro wonders what is a Cleric like her doing without a Paladin escort. However, he states they can talk later as they need to stop the giant beast first. Jiro then summons his spear which flies from his boat to him. Mya is observing them and states the promise will be fulfilled.

## Characters

* Kiris
* Kumi
* Gun
* Jiro
* Mezami
* Kumi Katsu
* Mya
* Gonk the Stonecutter
* Ahlim the Lightning
* Tsurugi
* Sharuto
* Toka