FIVE YEARS AGO…
At noon,
In the grand hall of House Gen,
Isaan and Jino kneel before their father, backs straight, heads lowered. Gen steps forward…
-Character Profile-
Name: Gen
Age: 36
Appearance: Tan skin, medium red hair.
Cross: Unknown
Persona: Calm chaos, steady presence.
Pet Peeve: Half-drunk caps of water. He hates it with passion.
Fun Fact: Once mistaken for a famous celebrity. Didn't deny it and got special treatment at a hotel—until they found out. It did not end well.
Gen: Isaan. Jino. One of you, my sons… one of you will wield the "Golden Cross" and banish the devil from this world. I believe in both of you—but it will only be one of you…
"GOLDEN CROSS: Most sacred and powerful magical weapon"
The brothers lift their heads, both curious and confused…
Gen: There is much you still need to learn before you can truly wield the "Ren"…
"REN: Magical power tied to one's soul"
Isaan scratches his head nervously. Jino remains calm.
Isaan: Quick question… you say, banish the devil… you mean?… 😅
Gen looks at Isaan.
Gen: I mean the Chief "Idol" himself… "Abajin." He's the strongest one there is—the death… destroyer of all who oppose him, bringer of calamity to all mankind. Many of the greatest "Templars" have tried to defeat him, but all have died…
"TEMPLAR: Holy and noble warriors"
Isaan is a little worried, but tries to pretend he's not scared 😭
Jino's demeanor remains calm…
Gen: The only way to defeat him is with the power of the Golden Cross. And only one of you two boys can wield it. Not sure who yet… but it's definitely one of you. That's why all your training is totally going to pay off…
Gen wears a goofy smile as he gives a thumbs-up 🤪
Father: So… no pressure, right? 🤪
Isaan 😶
Jino 😶
(Thinks to self) Jino: So… he's gonna let one of his kids fight an ancient monster that's literally killed more people than I can count? That's irresponsible 😑
Isaan: Uh… Dad? Maybe we could just ask this great evil guy to… go away nicely? We don't have to fight him, do we? 😅
Gen and Jino slowly turn their heads toward him…😑
Gen: Uh… 🤨
Jino: 😑
Jino: Can I hit him? 😑
Gen sighs, gesturing for them to stand…
Gen: Though you don't share the same mother, you are still brothers. And my sons… only our blood can wield the Golden Cross…
Isaan wonders…
Isaan: Wait… our blood? What does that mean?
Jino: Yeah, I don't get it either…
Isaan: Hey… I just thought of something. If it's our blood, then why can't you do it?
Jino: You're just saying that because you're scared.
Isaan: Am not! I'm not afraid of ghosts, demons, or Idols! 😤
Jino sticks his tongue out at Isaan.
Gen: Huh? 😶
Jino: Gotta admit though, Dad, he does have a point… you're the strongest Ren user we know. Why can't you just beat this Abajin? You said only our bloodline can use the Golden Cross… or am I missing something?
Gen: Ah—well—I don't have… uh… you see… 😅
Isaan leans in to hear…
Jino is curious 🧐
A servant rushes into the hall.
Servant: Master Gen, your guests have arrived…
Gen is delighted.
Gen: Ah! Wonderful. Please let them know I'll be right there.
The servant bows and leaves.
Gen turns to his sons, placing a firm hand on each of their shoulders…
Gen: We'll continue this talk later. I have to leave for a very important mission…
Isaan: But… there's so much more you need to explain.
Jino: He's right. I've got tons of questions… what really is the Golden Cross, and why is it only our bloodline that can supposedly wield it?
Gen: Whoa… slow down. I know you two want answers, and I promise I'll give them to you when I get back…
Isaan and Jino aren't happy 😤
Gen: Come on… why the long faces? Come on…
Gen ruffles their hair with a big grin on his face 😁
Isaan: Hey! You're messing up my hair! 😤😭
The three of them share a warm moment…
Some time later,
Gen walks away, waving at the boys as they do likewise… He leaves with three men…
Jino notices that one of the three men is wearing a white mask…
Moments after Gen leaves,
The boys exchange glances… the weight of Gen's words lingers in their minds…
With a look of determination, Isaan clenches his fist.
(Thinks to self) Isaan: I've gotta be the one to do it… even if it kinda sounds scary.
Jino glances over at him and smirks.
Jino: Hey, Isaan… I hope you know I'm gonna be the one to kill that monster and save the world.
Isaan: Alright then… let's see who it's gonna be.
"Race to the Cross… Isaan vs Jino"
"One of them will wield the Golden Cross"
PRESENT DAY
-Character Profile-
Name: Isaan
Age: 17
Appearance: Tan skin, short spiky red hair.
Cross: None yet?
Persona: Extroverted, high-energy type. Kind of a random dude at times.
Pet Peeve: People who are too serious.
Fun Fact: Once had a crush on a girl who ended up being into Jino instead. He's still low-key devastated.
-Character Profile-
Name: Jino
Age: 18
Appearance: Light-toned skin.
Cross: Sword.
Persona: Logical, analytical, and quite blunt. Mostly a chill dude.
Pet Peeve: People with bob cuts.
Fun Fact: He always takes off his shirt. Why? Because he just feels like it.
At Mount Kojo training grounds,
It's a cold, snowy day.
Isaan is standing in a room, faint light flickering from outside. He looks at the snow falling beyond the window…
(Thinks to self) Isaan: I can't believe he's gone…
Isaan gets a brief flashback of his father, Gen—a time when he, Isaan, Jino, and their mothers were seated together, sharing a meal…
Lost in thought, Jino suddenly barges into the room with a stern look on his face…
Jino: Come on, let's go… it's time.
Isaan giggles.
Jino: What's so funny? 😶
Isaan: Nothing. It's just the way you came in and said that—it was really dramatic…
Jino: Uh-huh 😑
Isaan imitates Jino's expression.
Isaan: This you: "The time has come, for the prophecy to be fulfilled… and save the world." 😂
Isaan laughs maniacally right after 🤣
Literally Jino: 😑
Jino: Are you done?
Isaan: Yeah, I'm done.
Jino: Sometimes I worry about you.
Isaan: Aww, you care 🤗😂
The two head out of the room…
Jino: He's waiting for us over at the fields.
They walk for a bit…
Isaan: You think this training is really gonna take us to a whole other level?
Jino: All I know is Dad's last message to us said this guy is the real deal… but still, I want to know why he trusted this guy so much.
Isaan: Good point…
Jino: And I'm eager to see what he's got.
A few minutes later,
Isaan and Jino stand before the masked Mr. Q.
-Character Profile-
Name: Mr. Q
Age: Unknown
Appearance: Wears a plain white, oval-shaped mask. Has long black hair.
Cross: Unknown
Persona: Calm, especially with how softly he speaks.
Pet Peeve: Unknown
Fun Fact: Sometimes called the Monk of Mount Kojo.
Mr. Q: Are you ready to begin your training?
Isaan: We sure are, Master Creepy Mask.
(Thinks to self) Mr. Q: Is my mask really creepy? 😵💫
Jino: Before we do, I have a question.
Both Isaan and Mr. Q wonder what it could be…
Mr. Q: Go ahead and ask.
Jino: Just who are you, really?
Isaan: Jino, isn't it obvious? He's the white mask man 🫤
Jino facepalms.
Mr. Q smirks beneath his mask…
Mr. Q: I am Q. Nothing more.
Just then, two other masked people appear from behind—one male with a purple mask, and one female with a red mask! They rush toward Isaan and Jino!
Isaan: Where'd they come from?!
Jino: Doesn't matter. They clearly want a fight…
Jino takes his shirt off.
Jino: You guys wanna fight? Alright then—bring it on.
The man charges toward Jino, swinging a sword—
Jino: Alright, here we go… time to slice. "Dragon Tooth."
"DRAGON TOOTH: Name of Jino's Cross"
Jino quickly summons his Cross (Sword), and the two blades clash!
"CROSS: Special weapon made manifest from a user's soul"
(Thinks to self) Mr. Q: So that's his Cross…
Jino kicks the man, launching him backward, then follows up with a strike—but the man dodges just in time…
Isaan: I don't wanna fight!
Woman: Don't give me that crap! It's just because I'm a girl, isn't it?! And stop staring at my boobs, you pervert! 😤
Isaan: Wait—no, no! You've got it all wrong! And I wasn't looking at you like that! 😳
Woman: I'll end this quick.
Isaan braces himself. The woman launches at him with a flurry of punches and kicks. Isaan blocks most of them—except one powerful kick that sends him flying into a tree!
He hits it hard and falls to the ground.
Isaan: She's… really strong…
He gets back up—but the woman is gone. Suddenly, Isaan senses something…
He looks up—and sees her coming down on him, fist engulfed in fire!
Woman: Now get a taste of my special Ren art! Fist of the Tiger's Ferocious Fist of Fury!
Isaan: Wow… that's a really redundant name for an attack 😑
Isaan barely dodges in time. Her punch slams into the ground, creating a massive crater!
Meanwhile, Jino and the masked man are evenly matched, blocking and countering each other's strikes. Jino launches the man into the air, then appears behind him and delivers a massive kick!
The man crashes into the ground.
(Panting) Jino: That guy wasn't so tough…
Jino turns toward Mr. Q.
Jino: Was this supposed to be some sort of test? Because I'm underwhelmed…
"Easy for you to say!"
Isaan shouts as he runs away from the masked woman!😬
Jino wears a smug, confident smirk—
—but Mr. Q points behind him.
Jino turns, only to find the masked man standing right behind him, blade drawn…
Man: Move, and you're dead.
Jino's eyes widen in shock…
Mr. Q steps between Jino and the man.
Mr. Q: You were saying…?
Just then, Isaan is launched straight at Mr. Q's feet!
Isaan: She's really strong 😵💫
Mr. Q: That's enough. Stand down, Winter.
Winter immediately stops.
Winter: Yes, sir.
Mr. Q: You too, Fall.
Fall lowers his sword and steps back.
Isaan gets to his feet…
Mr. Q: I brought you here because it was your father's wish that I complete your training.
Jino: He mentioned finding you in his last letter to us. How close were the two of you?
Mr. Q looks at them.
Mr. Q: We were allies for years. We were both Holy Templars, after all.
Isaan: Whoa?! No way! 🤯
Mr. Q: I've known him for quite some time… and both your mothers as well.
Jino looks away at the mention of his mother…
Mr. Q: All I'm here to do is help the two of you. That's all. In time… we can all grow together. Observe…
(Thinks to self) Winter: He's about to show some of his power…
Mr. Q points at a tree in the distance. A tiny projectile shoots from his finger at Mach speed—completely obliterating it, along with dozens of surrounding trees!
Isaan and Jino stare in disbelief.
Mr. Q: You see… you two aren't strong enough to go on your quest as you are right now. That's where I come in.
Mr. Q turns and begins to walk away…
He pauses, then looks back.
Mr. Q: Now then… are you boys ready? Time for some hard lessons.
Isaan and Jino glance at each other, then nod.
Isaan: He's amazing… and he's right! We'll never make it if we don't get much stronger than this…
(Thinks to self) Jino: Just who is this guy…?
Isaan: So I'm curious—do you really know what the Golden Cross is? And why our bloodline can wield it?
Jino: I was just about to ask that.
Mr. Q: I'm afraid no one truly knows what it is. All we know is that it's the ultimate power—the holy grail of Templars, if you will. As for your family… I'm afraid I can't answer that. I simply don't know.
Isaan: Man, I wonder how we're gonna figure all this out! 😭
Mr. Q: Don't worry. Time has its way of unfolding things. For now, just get ready to train. Hard.
In the coming days,
Isaan and Jino undergo grueling training regimens. Mr. Q puts them through seven insane trials:
50 KM runs,
No sleeping for five days straight—every two weeks,
Punching the mountain… with your head!
Standing in the lake, no matter how cold it gets,
Sixty push-ups—using only fingers and toes,
No flinching… while naked and touched by a woman?! (Don't worry—the boys were allowed to wear shorts.)
Isaan: Where did Master Creepy Mask get all these girls?! 😱😳
Jino: I will not be tempted! A man like me shall not be tempted! 😤
Jino turns around and covers his face.
Winter: Oh yeah? Then why do I see you smiling? 👀
And finally…
UTILIZING THE FLOW OF YOUR SOUL POWER…IN ORDER TO MASTER REN.
SIX MONTHS LATER,
One afternoon, Isaan and Jino spar with Mr. Q… they both hold their own pretty well. Mr. Q notices the strange energy their souls give off…
"After all the montaging…"
By the lake in the valley east of Mt. Kojo,
The boys stand before Mr. Q.
Mr. Q: You've both come a long way in just six months…
Isaan grins.
(Thinks to self) Isaan: He's finally gonna give his mantle of approval and say we're ready.
(Thinks to self) Jino: Finally… the time has come for us to leave and begin the search.
Mr. Q: You've both shown qualities of great mages—grit, determination, discipline, and heart… I'd even say you would qualify to be Templars at your current level.
(Thinks to self) Isaan: Here it comes…
Mr. Q: That's why the time has come for me to let you know…
Isaan and Jino wait expectantly…
Mr. Q: You're both not ready to go on your quest 😶
Isaan and Jino stand in shock 😵😵💫
Isaan: But I thought you said we learned so much and everything… can't we go already? 😭
Jino just stands there, looking at the ground…
Mr. Q: I'm afraid you're both still not good enough. No further discussion.
Jino: No. I've spent so much time here already. I think I've learned what I need—for now. Like it or not, I'm leaving.
Isaan: You're serious, Jinoooo?! 😱
After a moment of silence, Mr. Q sighs…
Mr. Q: If that is your wish, Jino…
Isaan: But… Jino?
Jino gives Isaan a stern look.
Jino: I've made up my mind, and that's that.
Isaan: Once you do that, no one can convince you otherwise…
Mr. Q looks over at Isaan.
Mr. Q: So what will you do, Isaan? Are you going to stay… or leave with your brother?
Isaan takes a moment…
Isaan: You know I value your teachings, Master Creepy Mask… but I have to stick with my brother.
(Thinks to self) Mr. Q: I wish he would stop calling me that 😵💫
Mr. Q: I respect that… I suppose this is goodbye, then?
Isaan: I guess it is… I'll never forget you, Master Creepy Mask 😭
Isaan: Let's go, Jino! Our adventure awaits! 🤩
Isaan starts running into the distance… 🤩
(Anime mode)
Jino: We still have to pack our stuff 😶
Isaan stops.
Isaan: Oh 😅
Later that afternoon,
The boys are packed and ready to leave… they stand at the gate with Mr. Q.
Some of Mr. Q's workers are sobbing at their departure 😭
Mr. Q: Good luck, boys. Remember… it's a really dangerous journey you're embarking on. Try not to… die.
Isaan: We sure will! 😁
Jino: Thank you… Master.
Before they leave, Mr. Q quickly whispers something to Jino…
Jino looks unsettled by it…
The boys head out.
"Ready for what's next!"
After a long carriage ride, they reach the town of Bantan in the evening. They hop down, and Jino pays the driver.
Jino: Keep the change.
Driver: Thanks, kid. Welcome to Bantan.
The boys are immediately taken in by the beautiful tall buildings and busy streets.
Isaan is amazed by how big the town is—the buildings and streets send him into a frenzy!
Isaan: This… place… is so cool! 😭
Jino: It's quite something, alright…
Isaan: Hey Jino… there's something I want to say to you 😤
Jino: What is it?
Isaan: Put on a shirt, for crying out loud! You're embarrassing me! 😤
"Jino is shirtless right now."
Jino: I live my life on my own damn terms, kid🫡
Isaan: So… why did we stop here specifically? Also, can we please find a place to sleep? I'm actually pretty tired.
Isaan's stomach growls.
Isaan: And hungry 😶
Jino: We're here to find a specific someone… but for once, I agree with you. I'm pretty hungry too. Come on—let's find a place to eat and sleep.
Jino walks
Isaan: Who are we looking for anyway?
Jino doesn't answer…
Isaan: Come on, Jino! Stop trying to be all mysterious and just tell me already! 😭
After some time,
The boys walk around until Isaan spots a— "Bread n Breakfast."
Isaan: That place looks pretty good!
Jino: Anywhere will do for me. Come on, let's go.
They head inside…
On a rooftop near the Bread n Breakfast is a girl, watching as the boys enter the building…
Girl: Looks like I found my target…