Scene : The Dark Forest Encounter
[Setting: A dense forest near a waterfall. The night fades as the morning sun casts golden rays over the land. Birds chirp, and water gently flows in the background. Ayu wakes up to the soothing sounds of nature.]
Ayu (stretching and rubbing his eyes):
"Kaito... wake up. It's morning now." (pauses, looks around)
"Kaito? Stop joking around." (no response)
[Ayu turns toward where Kaito had slept the previous night. His expression shifts to horror as he notices patches of blood on the ground. He jumps to his feet.]
Ayu (panicked):
"Kaito?! Where are you?!"
[Frantically scanning the area, Ayu moves deeper into the forest. Suddenly, faint cries echo from a distance. He sprints toward the sound.]
[Scene Transition: A clearing in the forest. Kaito is lying on the ground, clutching his stomach, his clothes stained with blood. Surrounding him are several mysterious figures dressed in dark robes. They each wear rings with different symbols and hold sharp katanas, gleaming under the sunlight.]
Ayu (stops in his tracks, eyes wide):
"No... Kaito!" (rushes forward but halts as one figure points a sword at him)
Shadow Leader (calm, menacing voice):
"So, you're the one we've been waiting for... Ayu Kurosin." (pauses, examining Ayu)
"Looks like fate brought you here sooner than expected."
Ayu (clenching fists, stepping closer):
"Who are you?! Let him go!"
Shadow Leader (ignores Ayu's demand):
"We're not here for him. It's you we want." (points katana at Ayu)
"But since your friend got in the way... well, let's say he's a message."
Kaito (weakly, reaching toward Ayu):
"Ayu... run... don't fight them..."
Ayu (tears forming, voice shaking):
"No! I'm not leaving you!" (draws his small blade)
"If you want me, you'll have to go through me first!"
[The shadows exchange amused glances before spreading out, preparing to strike. Ayu steadies his stance, heart pounding, but determination burning in his eyes.]
Shadow Leader (grinning):
"Good. Show us your strength... or die trying."
[The scene ends with the shadows lunging forward, their blades reflecting the morning light. Ayu steps forward to face them, ready to fight for his friend's life.]
Suddenly, Ayu felt a sharp jolt—a searing pain in his back. A shiver ran through him as he realized someone was grasping a katana, its blade embedded deep into his flesh. Trembling, he turned his head, his vision blurring slightly.
There stood Kaito, his face shadowed by an unreadable expression, his hand gripping the katana's hilt. The glow of the moon above painted the scene with an eerie stillness, contrasting the chaos erupting within Ayu.
Ayu's voice broke, trembling with pain and disbelief.
Ayu: "Kaito... Why? Why have you done this?"
Kaito hesitated, his voice shaking, yet resolute.
Kaito: "I have no other way..."
Ayu collapsed to the ground, clutching his wound. Blood seeped through his fingers, and the overwhelming pain dulled his senses. His mind reeled, unable to comprehend why Kaito, his trusted friend, would betray him.
The silence was broken by a mocking voice from the shadows.
Shadow 1: "Is he the one you said could defeat us? Pathetic. He can barely stand. I don't think this boy has the strength to be a threat."
Suddenly, Ayu's vision blurred further. Kaito's figure grew distorted, as though swallowed by the encroaching darkness. He could barely make out Kaito stepping back, his eyes glistening with guilt and sorrow.
Ayu whispered hoarsely, his strength waning.
Ayu: "Kaito... I trusted you..."
But Kaito did not respond. Instead, the shadows seemed to thicken around him, consuming the faint light of hope Ayu once held.
---
Scene: A Nightmarish Encounter
Kaito's voice trembled as he faced the shadows encircling Ayu.
Kaito: "Please, just let him go. This isn't the answer..."
One of the shadowy figures stepped forward, his presence radiating menace. The ring on his finger glinted, its unique symbol catching the faint moonlight.
Shadow Leader: "You made your choice, boy. And now, you must fulfill it. Finish him, or you'll suffer the same fate."
Kaito's hands trembled as he gripped the katana tighter. Tears streamed down his face.
Kaito: "I... I can't..."
The leader's laughter echoed through the forest, cold and devoid of mercy.
Shadow Leader: "Weakness has no place here. If you can't finish him, perhaps I should finish you instead."
---
Scene: A Sudden Turn
As Ayu lay on the ground, the darkness around him thickened. A faint, glowing pulse emanated from his wound, spreading like veins of light under his skin. He could feel something stir within him—a power he had never known.
His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly. The shadows hesitated, sensing the change.
Ayu (weakly): "You... will not... take everything from me..."
The ground beneath him began to tremble as a surge of energy erupted, pushing the shadowy figures back. Ayu rose unsteadily, his breathing ragged but his determination unwavering.
Kaito's voice broke through the tension, filled with fear and regret.
Kaito: "Ayu! Stop! You don't know what's happening!"
Ayu's gaze locked onto Kaito, a mixture of pain and betrayal etched on his face.
Ayu: "You were my friend, Kaito. Why did you betray me?!"
The forest seemed to hold its breath as the confrontation reached its peak. The shadows, momentarily stunned by Ayu's sudden power, regrouped, readying their next attack.