Shadow

Inside a dimly lit room, Ryan sits silently on the floor. Blood drips steadily from a cut on his hand. The broken pieces of vase scatter across the ground.

A furious voice echoes through the hallway—

Aunt (shouting):

"Don't you have any shame?! We've raised you, fed you, sheltered you—and this is how you repay us?! You broke my beautiful vase!"

Ryan stays quiet. He doesn't even lift his head. The blood continues to drip from his fingers.

Ryan (thinking):

"She's crying over a vase… while I'm bleeding."

Aunt (more furious):

"Oh, now you're giving me attitude?!"

She storms in and slaps Ryan across the face—hard. His head jerks , but he stays still, eyes distant.

Aunt (coldly):

"I'll tell your uncle. He'll teach you a proper lesson."

Ryan (softly, instantly):

"I… I'm so sorry, Auntie. Please, forgive me."

Aunt (with disdain):

"Hmph. Pay for the damage, and I'll forgive you."

Ryan:

"Ah… I will."

Aunt:

"You have time till tomorrow."

She leaves, slamming the door. Ryan's phone buzzes. He looks at the caller ID.

Ryan:

"It's… Isobel."

He picks up.

Isobel (calmly):

"Hey Ryan, come to the base. We've got something important to discuss."

Ryan:

"Ah… okay, wait."

He hesitates, staring down at his injured hand.

Ryan (thinking):

"Should I ask her for money? I already borrowed from Juliet once…"

Isobel (on call):

"Ryan…?"

Ryan:

"Can you… lend me some money?"

Isobel (without hesitation):

"Just tell me how much you need."

Ryan:

"Okay…"

The group is gathered in a base. Ryan walks in with a bandaged hand. Isobel's eyes immediately notice.

Ryan quickly pulls his hand behind his back. Juliet notices too.

Juliet (half-teasing):

"You got hurt again during training? So careless…"

Ryan (quietly):

"Yeah…"

Isobel (to the group):

"Alright, listen up. We've secured one scroll so far. Six remain. We've managed to track the location second scroll—but we need to be extremely careful from this point on."

Damian:

"Shadow's getting bolder. He expected Master Shun to be the one after him. Instead, he got us."

Isobel:

"Exactly."

Nahru (grinning):

"Got it! Let's gooo!"

Ryan:

"Where exactly is the next location?"

Damian:

"Not far—just the next city over."

Nahru:

"Okay! Everyone, come close."

He raises his hands, and a glowing teleportation circle appears. The team vanishes into it.

The team reappears in a peaceful public park, filled with people. Children are playing, and families relax by a scenic lake.

Isobel (whispers):

"There's a lake nearby. The scroll is located near there."

Juliet:

"If a fight breaks out again… it could be bad. There are too many people around."

Ryan:

"Forget that. How much longer are we supposed to keep hiding this?"

Damian:

"We've got the location. Let's move forward."

Damian (to the others):

"But remember—if it comes to a fight, Juliet and Nahru, your priority is civilian safety. You're both the fastest."

Juliet:

"Ah, I got it."

Nahru:

"Roger."

Isobel looks at Damian with pride, then turns to Ryan. A quiet understanding passes between them.

The group approaches the lakeside. A lone figure sits on a bench, casually holding a roller cane.

Isobel (suddenly):

"Everyone, stop."

Her eyes are narrowed with fury.

Isobel (coldly):

"That's him… Shadow."

The others look toward the figure. The man if dark hair and casual dressing sitting there slowly rises and smiles darkly.

Shadow:

"It's been a while, Isobel…"

He smirks, stepping forward slowly.

Shadow:

"But tell me, dear… where's your father?"

Ryan (firmly):

"You'll be fighting us."

Shadow (with disgust):

"You? Shun… chose you? How utterly pathetic."

Ryan:

"Say that again after you fight me."

Juliet (angrily):

"Hand over that scroll!"

Shadow:

"It's mine, little girl. Though I must admit… you seem more useful than that failed daughter."

Isobel looks down. Her fists shake. Her eyes are filled with silent grief.

Shadow (mocking):

"And Zein… I'm not interested in fighting you. But do you want to join me? We'll have lots of fun."

Nahru (snapping):

"Hell no! And excuse me—Zein is dead. I am Nahru."

Damian glances at Nahru.

Shadow (dark smile):

"Well then… let's begin

Shadow charges at Ryan, sending him flying before he can react. Juliet launches forward, attacking with deadly ice blades. Shadow dodges.

She switches to hand-to-hand combat, skillfully blending her powers. Several hits land.

Shadow (impressed):

"Amazing."

Juliet (grinning):

"Of course. I am amazing."

But then—he grabs her, punches her in the stomach. She coughs blood and collapses. Onlookers gasp. People begin to gather in fear.

Damian (thinking):

"They forgot what I told them. I don't blame them… we need someone to guide properly."

Nahru steps up, forming glowing attack patterns in the air. Portals open. He launches a barrage of hits from unexpected angles. Shadow barely dodges.

Shadow (smiling):

"Now I see why they call you strong… but sadly, neither of us are in peak form. What a waste."

Nahru (confidently):

"You know Your 100% can't match mine 100% ."

Shadow:

"I admit that… Guardian."

They engage in a high-speed clash. Shadow unleashes dark souls—corrupt energy that tears through the park, scattering debris. Civilians flee.

Damian (thinking):

"I have to do something."

He turns to Isobel, who's holding Juliet.

Damian:

"Isobel, I need your help!"

Isobel (distantly):

"Sorry… I can't. There's something else on my mind."

Damian understands.

Juliet (weakly):

"I can still help…"

Damian:

"Good. Clear the area."

Juliet moves the crowd away. Damian raises his hands and forms a massive white barrier around the battlefield.

Damian (thinking):

"Now that no one's in the way… we can fight with peace of mind."

Nahru begins to slow down. His limbs shake.

Nahru:

"Oh no…this body stop working"

Damian:

"It's alright. I've got this."

He moves Nahru to safety and attacks Shadow head-on. Shadow blocks, struggling to deal with both Damian and the barrier.

Shadow:

"Clever move…"

Damian:

"Save your words. Ryan—everything's ready!"

Ryan dashes in like lightning, grabbing Shadow's face and blasting him with raw energy.

Shadow:

"You bastard…!"

He retaliates, but Ryan dodges every strike and counters.

Shadow:

"So, you're finally charged up…"

Ryan (coldly):

"You're fighting them…so I don't need to waste my energy ."

Shadow:

"Hmph. For a beginner, you're strong. I'll consider you as an opponent."

Ryan:

" But I don't consider you an opponent. You're just a test. Arnold is the only enemy I recognize."

A flicker of memory flashes in Ryan's mind. Shadow's expression shifts.

Shadow (thinking):

"Arnold…? No way… it couldn't be—"

He sweats, but quickly calms himself.

Ryan attacks with stone fists. Every time Shadow strikes back, Ryan transforms into pure lightning, zipping away.

Shadow darkens his hands with mist—blades of shadow that cut through the air, slicing near Ryan.

Damian (thinking):

"He's in danger… I have to fo something."

Suddenly, blades of water shoot from the lake, slashing toward Shadow. He dodges, but one hits.

Ryan:

"Isobel…"

Shadow (snarling):

"You useless girl! What do you think you are?!"

Isobel enters the fight with poise and precision. She dodges, counters, and strikes. Blood, water, and energy splash across the battlefield.

Shadow (in disbelief):

"She's fighting… just like him…"

He refuses to admit that . He grabs Isobel by the hair, lifts her head.and start punching her . She tried to resist but failed. Ryan charged forward but then Shadow words make him stop

Shadow:

"I didn't want to kill you. You gave me my freedom. Don't make me regret that."

Everyone become confused " Freedom"

He sneers again.

Shadow:

"What? Didn't tell them yet, huh?"

Everyone looks confused. Isobel meets his eyes—full of pain, fire, and defiance.

Isobel:

"…Ah, I did."