Evening in Bantan.
Jino stands outside the front doors. A sense of unease washes over him—there's something about this place. He can feel it.
He looks up at the sign.
"Welcome to the Mystery Inn."
(Thinks to self) Jino: I can feel a lot of soul-energy coming from inside… Isaan is definitely here.
Just as he reaches for the door handle, the two massive wooden doors swing open on their own.
He steps inside.
The doors slam shut immediately behind him.
The place is massive—high ceilings, a long runner stretching across a vast foyer that leads toward the check-in desk.
Jino cautiously walks past it. No one's there.
He focuses, trying to hone in on Isaan's energy… but nothing.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Looks like I'm moving blind…
Something nudges his instincts. He heads upstairs.
The staircase opens into a huge hallway.
Footsteps echo from multiple directions. Doors creak open and slam shut on their own. Faint whispers slither through the air.
Jino tenses.
(Thinks to self) Jino: There are ghosts in this place…
He walks through the endless hallway, only to hit a dead end.
Jino: Damn… this place is one big maze.
He turns back, pushing deeper through the corridors. Too many rooms to count. The hallways feel endless.
Another dead end.
This time, there's a young boy sitting quietly in the corner.
(Thinks to self) Jino: What's a kid doing just sitting there…?
The boy slowly looks up at him.
There's something off about him.
(Thinks to self) Jino: He isn't a ghost… but his soul doesn't feel like someone who's alive either… This is strange…
Before Jino can say anything—
Boy: But you're not dead… so are you here to die, or just visiting? 😑
Jino: What? 😶
Before Jino can respond, the boy stands up and casually walks into one of the rooms.
Jino: Wait—damn… just what the hell is this place?
He tries the door the boy disappeared through.
It won't budge.
Suddenly, Jino feels it—a powerful presence.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Whose soul is this?… It's strong.
He follows the pull of it.
It leads him into a massive study.
Jino steps inside.
A fireplace crackles softly. Books line the walls.
By the fire, Gwen sits casually in a chair.
(Thinks to self) Jino: That power I felt… was hers?
Jino tightens his grip on his sword as he approaches.
Jino: Is this your place?… Are you the one who took my brother?
Gwen doesn't move. Her feet rest on the table, her blade lying casually beside her shoes.
She glances at Jino—then looks away.
Jino: I asked you a question.
Gwen: I heard you.
Jino: I'll ask you once more… so you better start talking. Where's my brother?
Gwen: You're not as loud as the last one.
Jino steps closer.
Gwen sighs.
Gwen: Fine… you want him? Then you're going to have to beat me first.
A sinister smirk spreads across her face.
Jino: I really don't want to fight a girl.
Gwen: Then how are you gonna feel when you lose to one?
She flicks her leg.
Her blade launches into the air—
In the blink of an eye, Gwen jumps up and kicks it.
The sword rockets toward Jino.
He barely shifts aside.
The blade slices past where his head was and buries itself deep into the wall behind him.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Damn… that was quick.
Before he can fully steady himself, Gwen dashes right in front of him.
(Thinks to self) Jino: She's fast—
She swings a right hook.
Jino catches her fist mid-air.
Gwen: Oh?… not bad. You reacted in time, huh…
They both leap back, creating distance.
The fight is on.
Gwen: I was just testing your reflexes… to see if you were worth fighting.
Jino: Is that so…
Gwen: You're okay. Definitely quicker than… your bro—
In a split second, Jino's right leg snaps up, stopping inches from her face!
Gwen drops to the ground instantly.
Jino pivots and comes down with a powerful stomp from his left leg—
Gwen performs a clean kip-up, narrowly avoiding the strike as his foot slams into the floor!
Jino: Your reflexes aren't bad either.
A smirk forms on Jino's face.
Gwen clicks her tongue, visibly annoyed.
Gwen: Alright. No more playing around…
Come to me— "SOULSBANE".
She opens her hand.
Her sword comes flying straight into her grip!
(Thinks to self) Jino: Definitely her Cross.
They dash toward each other.
CLANG!
Their blades collide, releasing a shockwave that sends a violent gust through the room—
Shelves rattle. Furniture skids. Books explode into the air!
Gwen presses the attack relentlessly, striking again and again—
But Jino blocks and parries every blow.
After one sharp parry, Jino hops back, creating distance.
Jino: Time for a Soul Arts technique… "Fire Storm—Level One!"
As he speaks the incantation, flames erupt along his blade.
Dark red fire engulfs the sword completely.
Gwen's eyes widen slightly—
But she doesn't flinch.
(Smirks) Jino: This whole place could go up in flames…
Jino launches a barrage of fire projectiles!
Gwen dodges and deflects every one of them.
The attacks ricochet across the room, blasting walls, shattering shelves, and tearing the study apart.
The flames finally die out.
Smoke fills the air.
Jino scans the room.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Where is she…?
Footsteps.
Gwen emerges from the smoke, completely unfazed.
Gwen: Well… that was a little dramatic.
Jino walks straight up to her, locking eyes.
Jino: I'm here to rescue my brother.
And I'm not leaving without him.
For just a second—
Gwen blushes.
She quickly steps back.
Gwen: You've proven to be… somewhat entertaining.
But it's time I finished this.
Jino: Funny. I was just about to say the same thing.
Gwen hesitates.
Gwen: Wait… I want to know something.
He's really your brother?
Jino: Huh? Why does that matter?
Gwen: You came all this way for him…
You really care about him?
She glances down.
Her expression softens—just for a moment.
Jino notices.
(Thinks to self) Jino: What's with her…?
Gwen: I just have one question.
Jino: We're kind of in the middle of a fight here. 🤨
Gwen: This is important to me, okay?!
Just answer it! 😤
Jino sighs.
Jino: What is it?
Gwen: Would you die for him?
Jino: He's my brother.
We don't share the same mother, but… he's family. He's my blood. And I'd do anything for my blood.
Gwen freezes.
Emotion flickers across her face—
She goes quiet. Too quiet.
Her grip on the sword tightens.
For just a moment, something in her expression falters—regret, maybe… or pain.
Then her jaw clenches.
Gwen: No matter… You're going to die anyway, so none of that matters! Death cancels everything!
Jino: 😑
Jino: What the hell is wrong with you?
You got a split personality or something?! 😤
Gwen: You wouldn't understand.
Just forget I asked any of it.
(Thinks to self) Jino: This chick is crazy…
Gwen raises her sword.
Gwen: It's ov—
Before she can finish, Jino snaps his arm forward—
Books launch toward her in a rapid barrage, flying at insane speed!
Gwen barely reacts in time, twisting and weaving as each book narrowly misses her—
She glances toward where Jino had been standing.
He isn't there.
Her eyes widen—
—and in the same instant, she senses him at her side.
Jino's blade stops at her neck.
Still in its sheath.
Gwen freezes.
Her eyes slowly shift toward him.
Jino's expression is cold. Nothing playful remains.
Jino: I could've killed you just now.
There's something different about him now.
Gwen feels it immediately.
Jino: You said you were testing me… seeing if I was worth fighting.
He leans in slightly.
Jino: I'm not my brother.
For the first time, Gwen feels uneasy.
Jino: Guess what? I've been testing your power this whole time.
A faint smirk touches his lips.
Jino: I'm not impressed.
Gwen (smirking): Don't get cocky.
Jino: And why's that?
Gwen's smile sharpens.
Gwen: Why don't you look behind you.
Jino turns.
Gwen's sword hovers inches from his spine.
Gwen: Checkmate.
Jino exhales slowly.
Jino: That was a good move. I'll give you that.
Gwen: Surrender. I could end your life in an instant.
You should've killed me when you had the chance.
Jino stays silent, eyes narrowing.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Damn… she's got me.
What the hell do I do?
Gwen: So? What's it gonna be?
Jino relaxes.
Jino: Go ahead. Kill me.
Gwen: Oh please. Don't try to act heroic.
They study each other—reading, calculating.
In a sudden burst, Jino grabs the blade with his bare hand.
Jino: Grr—
He wrenches it away and hurls it across the room.
His own sword follows.
In the same motion, he slams Gwen back against the wall, pinning her arms.
She struggles.
Gwen: Let me go.
Jino: This fight's over.
We're done here.
A voice cuts through the tension.
Voice: I'd let her go… if I were you.
Jino turns to see who's there.
Gwen: Boss?..
A man stands before them, wearing shades—cool, calm, unbothered.
Jino: Who the hell are you?
Man: I'm Leo.
Leo looks between the two of them, then smirks.
Leo: Oouuu… I sense sparks… am I interrupting something? 😚
Jino immediately lets go of Gwen.
Jino / Gwen: No!!! 😤😳
Gwen: That's ridiculous! He's just an intruder I was getting rid of! 😤
Jino: I'm just here to get my brother! I don't even know who this chick is—she's not even my type! 😳
Gwen: Hey?! 😤😮
Leo bursts out laughing. Then, just as suddenly, his expression goes cold.
He snaps his fingers.
In the blink of an eye, the world shifts.
Jino stumbles, barely keeping his footing.
(Thinks to self) Jino: How did he—?!
They now stand in a massive room, illuminated by elegant chandeliers. Animal mounts and ornate decorations line the walls, giving the place an unsettling grandeur.
Leo: I know why you're here.
He turns to Gwen.
Leo: Hey, Gwendolyn. Would you be a dear and stand down? 😚
Gwen sighs.
Gwen: You're the boss…
She walks over and drops onto a couch not too far away.
Jino: So what—now I have to fight you?
Leo: Well… yes. If you win, you can have your brother back. And you're free to go home.
Jino: Look, I'm not interested in playing whatever twisted game you've got going. Either tell me where he is, or I'll kill you and go find him myself.
Leo: Oh, I'm not playing any games… see for yourself.
He gestures to the right.
A door slowly opens.
Leo, Gwen, and Jino all turn to look—
And to Jino's shock, Isaan walks out!
He looks completely fine.
Isaan: Jino?!
He runs over and hugs him tightly. Jino places a hand on his head and gently pats it.
Jino: You okay, kid?
Isaan: Yeah… actually, I am. After she brought me here, it didn't take long before I met him…
He points at Leo.
Jino: Did they do anything to you?
Isaan: Nope. All he did was offer me tea… it was actually pretty good. 😁
Smack.
Jino taps him on the head.
Isaan: Oouu! Hey! What was that for?! 😭
Jino: Don't you know not to take things from strangers?! 😤
Isaan rubs his head.
Isaan: Well… you didn't have to hit me that hard… 😭
Leo: If you boys are done, we can proceed😅
Jino: Right… this guy won't let us leave unless I beat him.
Leo: That's true. But hey—you know what? Let's make things more interesting.
(Thinks to self) Gwen: Here we go… he always does this. 😑
Leo: If you two beat me in a fight, you're both free to go. No harm, no foul.
Isaan: And if we don't?
Leo scratches his head, thinking for a moment.
Leo: Well then…
He smiles.
Leo: You both die. Right here.
Jino and Isaan exchange a look.
They steady themselves.
Character Profile
Name: Leo
Age: 35
Appearance: Tan skin tone, Medium-length, flowing blond hair, usually kept loose. Often seen wearing distinctive shades that obscure his eyes, adding to his unreadable presence.
Cross: Unknown
Persona: Calm and composed under any circumstance, yet unpredictably playful. His laid-back humor and random remarks often contrast sharply with his overwhelming power.
Pet Peeve: Clowns. He genuinely cannot stand them.
Fun Fact: The first time he met his wife, he was so nervous that he pretended he couldn't speak properly—simply because he couldn't find the right words to say to her.
It's now Isaan & Jino Vs. Leo!