As society rises from the ashes of war, cybernetically augmented arena fighters battle for fame and fortune...or die trying. It's the 19th century, and the world has entered the Era of Rebirth, recovering from the devastating flames of war. The sport of Mechanical Martial Arts has galvanized the nations. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal fighting--and killing--machines. Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, hell-bent on winning in order to simply survive. Levius, now a Grade I fighter, must battle the undefeated Emperor on the greatest stage, the Southern Slam. During the preliminaries, A.J. discovers that her younger brother, Balthus, is competing and fighting his way up. His abnormal strength is mysterious and disturbing. What has he done to himself for the sake of competing in Mechanical Martial Arts?!