[EXT. RUINED WORLD – BLACK ALTAR – NIGHT]
The blackened moons hung low, casting bloody shadows over the broken lands.
Atop the ancient cracked altar, Zyren stood silently, the cold wind tugging at his cloak.
Before him knelt a creature — twisted, small, its form dripping with dark mist.
A weak demon, bred from hatred and whispers.
It was not a warrior.
It was a scout — sharp, sly, expendable.
---
> Zyren (voice cold and commanding):
"The seeds of light have grown strong... or so they believe."
The demon trembled.
> Zyren:
"Go.
Find them.
Hurt them... but do not kill.
Taste their strength.
Measure their hearts."
The demon nodded frantically, vanishing into the swirling shadows.
Zyren's crimson eyes narrowed.
> Zyren (murmuring):
"Let's see... how much of their light has survived."
---
[EXT. SCHOOL OF LIGHT – GRAND COURTYARD – MORNING]
The School of Light was alive with laughter and energy.
Today was a rest day —
no formal classes, only free training and games.
The eight divine children moved easily through the fields,
their bonds stronger than ever.
---
Lyrion stretched lazily under the old flowering tree,
watching as Veloria spun circles nearby, chasing butterflies with childish grace.
---
Across the courtyard:
Kairo and Syleria dueled with wooden swords, their playful rivalry fiercer than ever.
Sylion quietly handed a hand-carved charm to Aria, making her cheeks flush.
Auron and Cyra tried to build an obstacle course — laughing whenever it collapsed.
The air was light, full of dreams.
For a while...
everything was perfect.
---
[EXT. SCHOOL GARDENS – NOON]
Hidden deep in the outer gardens,
the shadows thickened unnaturally.
The weak demon slithered unseen, its form shifting between stones and tree roots.
Its mind buzzed with its master's command:
> (Memory of Zyren's voice):
"Test them. Break their peace."
The demon's gaze settled on two easy targets.
Auron and Cyra, arguing playfully over the right way to stack stones.
Easy prey.
---
[EXT. SCHOOL GARDENS – ATTACK]
The attack was sudden.
A ripple in the air — a shriek of unnatural rage —
and the demon lunged.
Auron barely turned before dark claws slashed across his side, sending him sprawling.
Cyra cried out, instinctively trying to shield him —
but the demon's tendrils lashed out, knocking her to the ground.
Blood stained the soft grass.
---
All laughter stopped.
Veloria gasped, spinning toward the scream.
Kairo dropped his practice sword instantly.
Sylion and Aria froze, eyes wide with horror.
And Lyrion...
Lyrion stood utterly still,
his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Something deep inside him —
something ancient, something fierce —
stirred.
---
The demon screeched, preparing to strike again.
But this time...
someone moved faster.
---
> Veloria (shouting):
"Lyrion!"
But Lyrion was already moving.
His sealed anklet — hidden within his body —
pulsed once, faintly, unnoticed by mortal eyes.
For the first time in years...
Lyrion's heart burned with more than just kindness.
It burned with fury.
Pure.
Protective.
Blinding.
---
He stepped between the demon and his wounded friends,
silver-blue eyes blazing with something new.
Not just light.
Not just anger.
Power.
---
The demon paused, sensing the sudden shift in the air.
It hesitated — confused.
This boy had no visible aura, no unleashed strength...
Yet something primal screamed at it to run.
---
> Lyrion (low, voice trembling with restrained fury):
"You hurt them."
Each word dripped with a dangerous calm.
---
The air around him trembled faintly.
Invisible ripples radiated from his small frame —
the first cracks in the seal of his power beginning to shiver.
---
The demon snarled, lunging blindly.
And as it leapt —
Lyrion's eyes flashed.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED]