The village was peaceful.
Morning sunlight spread across the rooftops as villagers went about their usual routines. Children ran through the streets, laughing and chasing one another while the adults prepared for another ordinary day.
At the edge of the village, Chad and Mason were preparing a carriage.
Several pieces of luggage had already been packed inside, along with a few gifts they had prepared for Gem's wedding.
Mason stood beside the carriage, already dressed and ready.
Chad, however, was still adjusting his Academy uniform.
He straightened his collar before looking toward Mason.
For a moment, he said nothing.
His expression became slightly distant.
Should I tell him?
Chad looked at Mason.
Should I tell him what may happen?
He knew there was a possibility that everything could change.
He knew the danger that was approaching.
But as he looked at Mason, Chad couldn't bring himself to say it.
No.
Not yet.
Chad finished adjusting his uniform.
"Let's go."
Mason nodded.
Before getting into the carriage, Chad turned toward the villagers.
He said goodbye to the people he had known for years.
He exchanged a few final words with them before eventually turning back toward Mason.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
The two entered the carriage.
Moments later, the carriage began moving.
As the village slowly disappeared behind them, Chad looked toward Mason.
"So..."
Mason looked at him.
"Life at the Academy is going to be different from what you're used to."
"How?"
"You're going to meet all kinds of people."
Chad smiled faintly.
"Some will become your friends. Some will become your rivals. And some..."
He paused.
"...you'll probably wish you never met."
Mason laughed.
"That bad?"
"Probably worse."
Mason smiled.
Chad continued.
"You'll face obstacles. There will be times when things don't go the way you want."
He looked ahead.
"But don't let that stop you."
Mason nodded.
"I won't."
"You'll learn new things. You'll meet people stronger than you. You'll discover things about yourself you never knew."
Chad looked at him.
"And you'll have fun too."
Mason smiled.
"I think I'm ready."
Chad smiled back.
"Good."
The carriage continued down the road.
Neither of them knew what was happening behind them.
Back at the village...
Rohan stood beside several other men.
Each carried an axe or another tool.
"We'll be back soon," Rohan said.
Becca stood in front of their home.
"Don't take too long."
Rohan smiled.
"I'll be back in less than an hour."
He leaned forward and kissed her.
Then he placed his hand gently against her stomach.
"I'll see you soon."
Becca smiled.
"Be careful."
Rohan nodded.
"Always."
He turned and joined the other men.
Together, they headed toward the forest.
The village returned to its normal rhythm.
Children played outside.
Some chased each other through the streets while others sat together and laughed.
Becca watched them from nearby.
She smiled.
For a moment, everything was peaceful.
Then—
A man entered the village.
His footsteps were calm.
Slow.
He wore an Academy uniform.
His hands were inside his pockets.
His expression was completely emotionless.
It was Cadoc.
He wasn't in his demon form.
He didn't need to be.
He simply walked into the village as though he belonged there.
A woman noticed him.
She approached with a friendly expression.
"Hello."
Cadoc stopped.
The woman looked at his uniform.
"You're from the Academy?"
Cadoc didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed ahead.
Then he finally spoke.
"Where is Chad Grace?"
The woman blinked.
"Chad?"
She pointed toward the road.
"They left a little while ago."
Cadoc remained silent.
"They went out because of an invitation."
Cadoc didn't react.
His hands remained in his pockets.
The woman smiled nervously.
"Is there something you need me to—"
SHNK.
She suddenly stopped.
The upper portion of her head had been sliced away.
She collapsed.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then—
"AAAAAH!"
Someone screamed.
The entire village erupted into panic.
"RUN!"
"GET THE CHILDREN!"
"EVERYBODY RUN!"
People scattered in every direction.
Cadoc simply continued walking.
He didn't even look back.
Becca immediately turned toward the children.
"Run!"
The children froze.
"RUN!"
She pointed toward the houses.
"Get away from here!"
The children finally began running.
Several men remained behind.
They grabbed their axes.
"STOP!"
They charged Cadoc.
One swung his axe.
Cadoc tilted his body.
The attack missed.
In the same motion, Cadoc struck the man's stomach.
The man dropped.
Another rushed forward.
Cadoc disappeared.
BOOM!
He slammed the man into the ground.
The remaining men hesitated.
Cadoc looked at them.
Then—
He vanished.
A series of rapid movements flashed through the village.
SLASH.
SLASH.
SLASH.
One after another, the remaining men fell.
Cadoc continued walking.
His eyes eventually settled on Becca.
She was standing alone.
Her body was positioned between him and the fleeing children.
Cadoc stopped in front of her.
"Where is Chad?"
Becca stared at him.
"I don't know who you are..."
She clenched her fists.
"...but you can't just come into my village and search for someone."
Cadoc's expression didn't change.
His hand suddenly drove into her abdomen.
Becca's eyes widened.
Her voice immediately became faint.
Cadoc looked at her.
Then his eyes lowered toward her stomach.
A brief silence followed.
"...Twins."
Becca's eyes trembled.
Cadoc slowly pulled his hand away.
He didn't show the slightest trace of emotion.
Becca collapsed to the ground.
Cadoc stepped toward her.
Becca struggled to move.
Cadoc raised his hand.
Then—
Rohan is standing at the village entrance.
His axe is in his hand.
His eyes are wide.
He sees Becca lying on the ground.
Bleeding.
Barely alive.
Rohan's breathing stops.
His grip around the axe tightens.
ROHAN:
"...Becca?"
He takes one step.
Then another.
His eyes fill with rage.
ROHAN:
"You..."
Cadoc looks at him.
Rohan's entire body begins shaking.
ROHAN:
"You bastard!"
BOOM!
Rohan launches himself forward.
He swings his axe with everything he has.
WHOOSH!
Cadoc dodges.
Rohan immediately attacks again.
WHOOSH!
Again.
WHOOSH!
Again.
CLANG!
Cadoc keeps moving.
Rohan isn't thinking anymore.
He's fighting purely through rage.
ROHAN:
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
He swings.
Cadoc dodges.
ROHAN:
"YOU HEAR ME?!"
Another swing.
Cadoc ducks.
ROHAN:
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Cadoc suddenly strikes.
THUD!
Rohan's shoulder.
Rohan stumbles.
He swings again.
Cadoc dodges.
THUD!
His elbow.
CRACK!
Rohan grits his teeth.
Cadoc strikes his knee.
CRACK!
Rohan almost falls.
But he forces himself back up.
Rohan breathes heavily.
Cadoc looks at Rohan
Rohan raises his axe.
ROHAN:
"You bastard fool!"
His voice shakes.
ROHAN:
"I swear on my life..."
He points the axe toward Cadoc.
ROHAN:
"I WILL KILL YOU!"
The remaining villagers stand frozen in fear.
Cadoc looks at them.
Then—
he disappears.
WHOOSH!
The villagers turn.
Their eyes widen.
Cadoc is standing behind them.
A beat of silence.
SLASH.
SLASH.
SLASH.
One after another, they fall.
Rohan's eyes widen.
Cadoc looks back at him.
CADOC:
"It seems..."
He begins walking toward him.
CADOC:
"...you aren't any use to me."
Rohan's eyes widen.
BOOM!
Cadoc appears directly in front of him.
He grabs Rohan by the head.
CRASH!
He slams him into a wall.
Rohan gasps.
Cadoc pulls him forward.
BOOM!
A punch into his stomach.
BOOM!
Another into his chest.
BOOM!
Another into his face.
Rohan's body goes limp.
Cadoc raises his fist.
CADOC:
"Die."
He swings.
BOOM!
His fist crashes into the wall.
But—
Rohan isn't there.
Cadoc slowly pulls his fist from the wall.
He looks around.
A smile slowly appears on his face.
CADOC:
"...Finally."
[CAMERA PANS]
Standing several meters away—
is Chad.
His hand is holding Rohan.
Rohan is barely conscious.
Chad's hair hangs over his face.
He says nothing.
Cadoc stares at him.
Chad slowly lifts his head.
His eyes move toward the ground.
He sees the bodies.
Then—
Becca.
Chad's expression doesn't change.
He carefully releases Rohan
Chad walks toward Becca.
He kneels.
He picks her up.
Her eyes slowly open.
She recognizes him.
BECCA:
"Chad..."
Chad holds her.
She grabs his hand.
Tears stream down her face.
BECCA:
"I don't want to die..."
Chad says nothing.
BECCA:
"Please..."
Her voice cracks.
BECCA:
"Save me."
Chad's eyes remain empty.
BECCA:
"I just want to live..."
Her fingers slowly lose their strength.
She coughs.
Once.
Then—
nothing.
Her hand falls.
Chad stares at her.
[MASON ARRIVES]
MASON:
"Chad!"
Mason comes running into the village.
Then—
he stops.
His entire body freezes.
His eyes move across the village.
Bodies.
Blood.
Rohan.
Becca.
Chad.
Mason can't speak.
His mouth opens.
Nothing comes out.
He can't even move.
The sound of the wind is all that remains.
Chad slowly stands.
He doesn't say anything.
Doesn't cry.
Doesn't react.
Just—
silence.
Cadoc looks at him.
Then suddenly—
BOOM!
Cadoc rushes forward.
His fist is aimed directly at Chad.
SHING!
Cadoc stops.
His eyes widen.
His arm has been severed.
Chad stands there holding his sword.
Cadoc immediately pushes himself backward.
WHOOSH!
He creates distance.
He looks at his missing arm.
Then back at Chad.
A smile appears.
The markings begin spreading across his body.
CRACK.
His eyes turn red.
His hair changes to Red.
The wind violently blows around him.
Chad stands opposite him.
His sword is lowered beside him.
Tears are still running down his face.
He slowly raises his head.
His eyes meet Cadoc's.
CHAD:
"So..."
A pause.
He tightens his grip around his sword.
CHAD:
"This is how it's going to be, Cadoc?"
The wind becomes deafening.
"he knows who I am"
Cadoc says in his head
Surprised
Chad raises his sword.
CHAD:
"Then this thing will not end."