Scene 1: Restless Awakening
The screen fades in. Kael jolts awake inside a dim apartment, sweat dripping down his face. The card he found last night lies on the small table beside him, its strange emblem glinting faintly under the cracked ceiling light.
Kael (thinking, holding his chest):
"…That scream… that kid… it felt too real to be a dream."
He stares at his reflection in a dusty mirror. His eyes look older than they should, carrying scars of something he hasn't spoken about. His hand trembles slightly as he touches the mirror.
Kael (thinking, holding his chest in front of the mirror):
"…Last night… I almost froze again. Just like back then."
He grips the edge of the sink hard, his knuckles turning white.
Kael (whispering, strained):
"…I can't let myself be that useless kid anymore."
He quickly clenches his fist, shutting the thought away. But the card remains, like a scar he can't throw
Scene 2: The Streets of Ashenport
Kael walks through the ruined streets of Ashenport. The city is alive in its own broken way — neon signs flickering, drunks muttering, stray dogs barking in the distance. On a wall, more graffiti: "THEY WERE HUMAN ONCE."
Kael (thinking, frowning):
"…First, 'We are made.' Now this. What the hell is this city hiding?"
He notices a group of scavengers whispering. They glance at him, then quickly leave when they see the card sticking out of his pocket. Kael stiffens, realizing people recognize it even if he doesn't.
Scene 3: Encounter with Lyra
At the corner of an abandoned market, Lyra leans casually against a broken vending machine, arms crossed, as if she'd been waiting for him.
Lyra (smirking):
"Took you long enough. You don't walk fast for someone marked."
Kael (confused, defensive):
"…Marked? What the hell are you talking about?"
Lyra (pointing at the card):
"That symbol. You don't just 'find' it. It finds you."
Kael narrows his eyes. Her calm, confident voice clashes with the chaos he feels inside.
Kael:
"…Why were you at that alley last night? You knew what was coming."
Lyra (sharp, with a shadow of sadness):
"Because I've seen it before. Too many times. Those… experiments don't stop wandering until someone puts them down."
She leans in closer, her eyes piercing his.
Lyra:
"Tell me, Kael… why didn't you run like everyone else would?"
Kael (hesitates, then mutters):
"…Because I already ran once. And I lost everything."
Her smirk fades slightly, replaced with a flicker of respect.
Scene 4: The Return of the Child
As they talk, Kael hears light footsteps. The child from last night, Aiden, peeks out from behind a rusted lamp post. His eyes are wide, hollow, but fixed on Kael.
Kael (startled):
"You… you're still here?"
Aiden runs forward and clings to Kael's sleeve.
Aiden (whispering, trembling):
"They'll come back… they always come back."
Kael (kneeling, trying to stay calm):
"Who? Who's coming back?"
Before the boy can answer, the ground shakes faintly. A distant echo of inhuman screeches cuts through the city air. Lyra immediately pulls out her blade.
Lyra (low, serious):
"…Too late. They already know."
Scene 5: The Watching Shadow
The camera shifts to a rooftop overlooking them. A cloaked figure with glowing crimson eyes watches silently. Their voice is a whisper carried by the wind.
Unknown Figure:
"…Test subject Kael has awakened… this changes everything."
The screen cuts to black with the faint sound of Aiden's distorted laugh blending into the night.
Episode 2 End