EARLY MORNING – SHRINE GARDEN
The sun shines. Cherry blossoms fall. Birds chirp. But tension slices the air like a blade.
Sylden stands with arms crossed, staring down at Lyceum, who hovers slightly above the ground with glowing wings. They glare.
SYLDEN:
You're too loud for a "guardian."
You blind people before you protect them.
LYCEUM:
And you're too grim for a hero.
You save lives, but no one remembers your name.
SYLDEN:
Because I don't walk around glowing naked.
LYCEUM:
Because you're afraid to shine.
FROM A BALCONY ABOVE
Nyari leans over the railing with wide eyes, watching them roast each other.
NYARI:
Are they... flirting?
She blushes and gasps.
NYARI:
No. Wait. No way.
ON THE GROUND
SYLDEN & LYCEUM (in sync, flustered):
W-We're not a couple!
They both look away awkwardly. Thunder rumbles in the distance.
EMPRESS' MANSION – BALCONY MOMENTS LATER
Nyari stands peacefully now, admiring the peaceful town below.
Wind blows through her long gown. The Phoenix Sword rests near her.
A servant enters behind her—hooded, silent—and offers her a delicate teacup.
NYARI:
Thank you, dear. This town may not be perfect,
but the tea here is—
She takes a sip—then coughs violently. Her fingers drop the cup. It shatters.
NYARI:
W-What...!?
She collapses to one knee. The servant suddenly bolts from the room.
MAID (screaming):
The Empress is poisoned!
INSIDE THE MANSION – PANIC
Guards flood the hallways. Servants scream. Lyceum bursts through a window and chases the servant down the rooftops.
LYCEUM:
You dare poison a Phoenix!?
Meanwhile, Sylden kneels by Nyari, placing two glowing fingers on her chest.
SYLDEN:
Hold still. You'll survive this.
NYARI (weakly):
You two... are cute together...
SYLDEN (deadpan):
Not now.
OUTSIDE THE CITY WALLS – CHASE
The servant leaps off the final rooftop and lands near a forest. Lyceum follows—just as the servant drops his disguise.
❖ REVEAL: IT'S DAISO
He rips off the servant cloak and slams his hand into the ground. A circular sigil glows red beneath him.
A portal rips open—pulsing with heat and screams.
DAISO (softly):
It's time.
He steps into it.
MOMENTS LATER – KAZU IN THE SHADOWS
Kazu, having followed quietly, hides behind a boulder.
KAZU (whispers):
Daiso...? What the hell are you doing...?
He hesitates—then jumps in after him.
THE UNDERWORLD – INFERNAL CITY
Flames burn endlessly. The sky is black smoke. A massive demonic town lies in ruin—twisted buildings, clawed gates, molten rivers.
Thousands of shadows and creatures roam the streets. Some shriek. Some whisper.
Kazu stares in horror.
KAZU:
Where... am I...?
A horned demon turns. Its eyes pierce through him.
DEMON (growling):
A living soul... how tasty.
Dark claws wrap around Kazu's shoulder. He screams.
NEXT DAY – TOWN SQUARE
Kazu's mother sobs, begging the officials and townsfolk.
KAZU'S MOTHER:
Please! He's gone! My son—Kazu—he hasn't come home!
TOWNSMAN:
No one's seen him...
Shin-Ri hears it. He stops cold. Riku and Maen approach.
SHIN-RI:
Kazu? Gone?
MAEN:
He followed someone...
Sylden steps forward, grim.
SYLDEN:
I'm going after him.
SHIN-RI:
Then we're coming with you.
MAEN:
He's annoying... but he's still one of us.
Sylden studies them both—then nods.
SYLDEN:
Very well.
But where we're going... even swords may not save you.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
I thought I knew what darkness looked like.
But it has a deeper face...
And now we're walking into its mouth.
TO BE CONTINUED...