FADE IN:
EXT. DESTROYED TOWN – NIGHT
Smoke curls from the wreckage. The once-great trial grounds are nothing but glowing coals. Sword hilts stick from the earth like gravestones.
NARRATOR (V.O.):
The flames had quieted.
But what came after was louder than fire.
The silence of the fallen… and the voices of those left behind.
EXT. MOUNTAIN VILLAGE (MORNING)
The surviving swordsboys, officials, and warriors begin construction. A new village is taking shape on the mountainside, above the ruins of their former home.
Simple wooden houses. Crates of salvaged supplies. Children help carry water. Young warriors plant flags into the dirt. A sense of hope lingers in the air.
INT. CENTRAL GATHERING TENT – MORNING
A large meeting is held. Survivors sit on cushions, some still wrapped in bandages. The Phoenix Empress, regal but injured, enters. Her gown is scorched. Her Red Phoenix Sword is slung across her back.
Everyone stands.
ZANA (whispers):
She made it…
MAEN:
I didn't think she would.
EMPRESS SPEAKS
EMPRESS NYARI (smiling, softly):
Sit, all of you. You've earned more than rest.
They sit. Her voice becomes stronger.
EMPRESS:
You are the future of this land.
When demons came, you stood.
When the sky cracked open, you did not fall.
OFFICIAL #1 (bowing):
The Commission of Guardians thanks you.
OFFICIAL #2:
You've shown us that even the lowest title—Swordsboy—can carry the weight of the world.
CUT TO – EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE VILLAGE — LATER
People work together. Zana helps rebuild a fence using charged metal rods. Maen carries beams at lightning speed. Children draw swords in the dirt.
SYLDEN (to a group of young trainees):
When you build a blade, you heat it, hammer it, and fold it.
Just like you've all been through.
TRAINEE:
So we're swords now?
SYLDEN (smiling faintly):
You're becoming one.
EXT. SKY ABOVE VILLAGE — GLEAMING LIGHT
A pillar of golden energy descends. Lyceum floats down from the sky in radiant armor, his wings shining brilliantly.
Everyone stops working and looks up. Silence falls. His feet touch the earth gently.
LYCÉUM (raising hand):
You fought like gods…
But live like people.
He turns, gazing at the horizon.
LYCÉUM (softly):
Build this new world with humility.
Let swords protect—not dominate.
And never forget who bled for this peace.
Applause echoes. Some cheer. Some just cry silently.
CUT TO – SHIN-RI ALONE NEAR A CLIFFSIDE SHRINE
Shin-Ri stands before two simple swords stabbed into the ground. One belonged to Riku. The other to Gojiro (Sensei). A white cloth flutters from both.
He kneels. His fists tremble. His head lowers.
SHIN-RI (voice cracking):
Why didn't you tell me…
That it would end like this?
He slams a hand on the ground. Grief spills out.
SHIN-RI (screaming):
Riku was still smiling when he fought!
And you, Sensei… you still had so much to teach me!
He sobs silently, gripping the hilts of their swords. Wind passes gently through his hair.
SHIN-RI (whispers):
I'll carry you both.
I swear.
CUT TO – THE UNDERWORLD — DARK, DEAD, STILL
In the deepest pit of the Underworld, Kazu's body lies cold. His wings are crumpled. His demonic sword is cracked beside him. His eyes are closed. Lifeless.
No demons approach. Even in death, he radiates a fearsome aura.
NARRATOR (V.O.):
In the deepest place, one who burned too bright fell…
But the story of the fallen is never truly over.
The camera lingers on Kazu.
Then slowly zooms into darkness.
CUT BACK – VILLAGE IN FULL REBUILD
Fences go up. Trees are cleared. A dojo is being built. A training field is marked.
Children gather around Maen, asking her to show her fast arms.
KID #1:
Show us! Show us!!
MAEN (smirking):
Okay… but blink and you'll miss it.
She zips around and gently taps each kid's forehead. They laugh.
NIGHT – A BONFIRE
All the survivors sit together. Zana plays a slow, electric hum using her blade and a tuning stone. Lyceum watches the stars. Sylden sharpens his blade.
The Empress sips tea and finally smiles. The flames reflect in everyone's eyes.
MAEN (to Shin-Ri):
They'd be proud of you, you know.
SHIN-RI:
I just want them back…
SYLDEN:
They're still here. Every time you swing, they swing too.
ENDING SHOTS — MONTAGE
A new village nameplate is carved: "Hinokure – Born From Flame."
Children train at sunrise with wooden swords.
Lyceum departs again, wings spread wide into the sky.
The Empress visits the shrine of fallen warriors and prays.
Maen places a flower on Riku's sword.
Shin-Ri stands on the cliff, wind in his hair, eyes closed, sword on his back.
The cursed blade whispers, but he remains calm.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
They wanted peace.
So now we fight for it.
Not for revenge…
But for the world they dreamed of.
TO BE CONTINUED…