The entrance to the cave was hidden, swallowed by the thick, gnarled roots of ancient trees that seemed to claw at the earth, as if trying to keep whatever lay inside buried forever. The air around it was unnaturally still—no wind, no birdsong, no rustling leaves—only silence. It was as if the world itself refused to acknowledge what lurked within.


    Stepping inside was like crossing into another world. The cave walls, rough and jagged, bore strange markings, old symbols carved deep into the stone—some faded with time, others still fresh, as if someone had added them not long ago. A faint glow pulsed from some of them, casting eerie shadows that twisted and stretched like living things.


    The deeper one went, the colder it became—not the natural chill of underground stone, but something far more unnatural. The air was heavy, thick with an unseen force pressing down on the chest, making it harder to breathe, harder to think. Every footstep echoed, not just once, but twice—like something unseen was walking alongside those who entered.


    Scene: An old dark cave with candles brimming with golden light as the dark intensifies.


    (A man standing)


    “Welcome!”


    “I shall tell you the truth about this world. It’s history has been hid by the royals. You have been lied to. The towns you have been living in are just an illusion. It’s an another dimension created by the king to fool you.


    The truth is the world is not peaceful at all. This world is cursed. The


    Arcanors are hiding in the darkness waiting to prey.”


    (A voice) “So it was true. The Arcanors are real!”


    (Another voice) “The king was protecting us by having us live in another dimension”


    “No! The king ***** cowardly ***** ***** ***** ***** ****** ***** * **** * ***”


    “But don’t worry. We are the protectors of this world.”


    “We are Daimyojins!”


    (scene change)


    Scene: Inside the Cave


    Rakk: "You’re restless."


    Shun: (not looking up) "I don’t sleep well."


    Rakk: (raising an eyebrow) "That’s not it. You’re carrying something heavier than lack of sleep."


    Shun: (scoffing) "Aren’t we all?"


    (Rakk remains silent, waiting. Shun finally stops sharpening his dagger and exhales deeply, staring into the flames.)


    Shun: "My father... he wasn’t always the man I killed. He used to be different. Or maybe I just wanted to believe that."


    (Rakk leans forward slightly, listening.)


    Shun: "He was a soldier once. A good one. He fought in the border wars, where men lived and died by their instincts. He survived battles that swallowed entire armies. And when he came home... he brought the war with him."


    Rakk: (quietly) "War changes men."


    Shun: (bitterly) "Yeah. It made him a monster."


    (He clenches his jaw, remembering.)


    Shun: "He thought the only way to raise strong sons was through discipline. But his idea of discipline was beatings, humiliation, and fear. To him, love was weakness, and kindness was a disease. My mother... she didn’t stop him. She encouraged it. And Fiol... he was just a child. He didn’t deserve any of it."


    (Rakk watches him carefully, the flickering firelight reflecting in his sharp eyes.)


    Rakk: "And the night you killed him?"


    (Shun''s grip tightens on his dagger.)


    Shun: "That night... was different. He was going to sell Fiol. Said he wasn’t worth feeding anymore. That he was ‘too soft’ to be of any use. I was tied to a chair, forced to watch. And then—you offered me a way out."


    Shun: Rakk, Why did you bring me here?


    Rakk: You heard it. Right? This world is cursed with these royals and Arcanors. The people have been used all their lifes in suffering. I saved you because You are going to change it as prophesised.


    Shun: A prophecy?


    Rakk: “He shall come, He who lived a thousand years ago, S shall come back”


    Shun: How can you be sure it’s me?


    Rakk: You are just a candidate. There are 13 candidates in total. 8 of them have been already identified. The Aetherblades posses 4 of them and We possess 4 of them.


    Shun: What are the Aetherblades?


    Rakk: They are a group of slayers who are independent of the royals. But there are some royals in the Aetherblades so they have influence in it.


    Rakk: Now, It’s time to start your training.


    Shun: Are you sure? I killed my own father. I am a bad person.


    Rakk: There are somethings evil you do for greater good. You saved your brother and your friends life.


    Rakk: Thinking about your friend. I dropped him somewhere.


    Shun: What do you mean?


    Rakk: I was sure I had stopped everything when I teleported. Your friend moved towards us and got teleported somewhere.


    Shun: He must be near then?


    Rakk: Yes. But you can’t meet him.


    (scene change)


    Scene: Inside the underground prison


    The air was thick, damp, and heavy with the scent of rusted iron and decay. The prison was carved deep beneath the surface, its walls rough and uneven, as if the stone itself had been unwilling to house the wretched souls thrown into it. Flickering torches lined the narrow corridor, casting long, twisted shadows that danced like specters against the walls.


    The cells were nothing more than iron bars welded into jagged stone, some barely large enough for a man to stand. Chains hung from the walls, rusted and stained—remnants of those who had been here before. Somewhere in the distance, water dripped endlessly, a slow, maddening sound that filled the silence like a heartbeat.


    At the very end of the corridor, Shinjiro sat on the cold, hard floor. His wrists were bound, the chains cutting into his skin whenever he shifted even slightly. The chill of the stone seeped into his bones, making it impossible to get comfortable, but comfort didn’t belong in a place like this. Neither did hope.


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    Man1: Hirako-sir! (Hirako is around 50 years old)


    Hirako: Wake him up!


    Hirako carried the weight of experience and regret in his every step. He wasn’t a man of grand presence, but the moment he entered a room, there was an undeniable gravity to him—a man who had seen too much and spoken too little.


    His dark, shoulder-length hair was streaked with silver, a testament to the years he had spent surviving in a world that didn’t favor men like him. His face was sharp, hardened by time, with tired but piercing eyes—a shade of deep brown, almost black, yet carrying the quiet intelligence of a man who had learned to see through lies. His features weren’t handsome nor intimidating, but there was something unsettling about him—the way he looked at people, like he was always seeing more than what they showed.


    He wore a simple black cloak, old but well-kept, fastened with a single, unmarked silver clasp. Beneath it, his clothes were practical, built for movement rather than status. No unnecessary decorations, no signs of wealth—just a man who had long abandoned the idea of impressing anyone. His boots barely made a sound when he walked, and his presence often went unnoticed unless he wanted it to be felt.


    Hirako’s voice was low and measured, carrying neither warmth nor coldness—just truth. He didn’t waste words, nor did he soften them. Everything he said had weight. He was a man who believed in survival above all else, but somewhere beneath that hardened exterior, there was a part of him that still cared. A part that had decided to guide Shinjiro.


    (throws water on Shinjiro tied with his hand and feet) Shinjiro: (wakes up) Hahh! ..Where..am..I?


    Hirako: I am Hirako of the Royal Capital.


    Shinjiro: Where is Shun?


    Shinjiro was confused and worried about his friend Shun.


    Hirako: Are you a spy?


    Shinjiro: No. Why am I here?


    Hirako: Break his bones.


    Man1: No hard feelings. (smacks a heavy rod on Shinjiro’s leg) Shinjiro: Arghhhh!! Arghhh!!


    Hirako: Talk!


    Shinjiro: It hurts. (cries) Hirako: I said to talk.


    Shinjiro: Why are you doing this? Why am I here? (his voice crackling with pain)


    Hirako: We found you outside the capital. You don’t have a identitiy. You are either a spy of the Daimyojin or a slave who ran away.


    Shinjiro: I am not a spy. I promise! I am not a slave either!


    Hirako: I hope you are not lying.


    Man1: You have gone too soft sir.


    Hirako: He’s just a kid. He screamed with pain, He has never broken a bone before. He can’t be a spy.


    (Another person arrives)


    Man2: An order from the royal capital.


    Hirako: What is it?


    Man2: The spy we captured few months ago will be identifying him.


    Hirako: Very well then. Bring him with me!


    (scene change)


    Scene: A prison cell Man1: Open it!


    (The guard opens the cell)


    Man1: Wake up! Hirako-sir is here!


    Prisoner: Hirako officer! Why are you here?


    Hirako: Do you know this kid?


    Prisoner: Yes. I know, Jin! How are you here?


    Shinjiro: (to himself) What is going on here?


    Hirako: He is a spy with you?


    Prisoner: Yes.


    Shinjiro: No! He is lying. My name is Shinjiro. Why are you lying old man?


    Prisoner: We have trained to act very well, Come up with new names. Act like we are innocent, They are trained to not give up information even if it costs their life.


    Shinjiro: Shut up! You are lying!


    Prisoner: They train these kids so that it’s easy to manipulate people. As I remember he was also involved with the fire breakout 6 months ago.


    Prisoner: Sorry to bring that up, you lost your family, didn’t you Hirako officer?


    Shinjiro: Shuttt upp!!! You liarr!!!


    Hirako: (pins Shinjiro to the ground) You evil! Just because you are a kid, I was easy on you. You know what you did a month ago.


    Shinjiro: I did not do anything.(crying)


    Shinjiro: How do you know he’s not lying?


    Prisoner: The royal priest Patrick put a spell on me. I can not lie.


    Shinjiro: Put it on me too. And you will know I am not lying.


    Hirako: Where is priest?


    Man1: He’s out of the capital.


    Man2: Sir! Sir Damian is here to take the prisoner.


    Hirako: Lock both of them for now.


    (scene change)


    (Hirako and gaurds left)


    Shinjiro: Why did you lie? Old man? (crying)


    Prisoner: I have to get out of here. You just got caught up in all this.


    Shinjiro: Why? I want to go home! (crying)


    Prisoner: You are just a sacrifice for a greater cause.


    Shinjiro: I will tell them the truth.


    Prisoner: You can not do anything. Just give up kid. You will see yourself wanting to die.


    Shinjiro: But why me? (crying)


    Prisoner: You were just there. It’s not your fault. If someone is wrong here. It’s fate.


    Shinjiro: Noo! I don’t wanna die!


    Man1: Let’s go prisoner!


    Prisoner: The sooner you die, it will be much better.


    (scene change)


    Shinjiro: I am not a spy. I have done nothing wrong!


    Hirako: Enough crying. Get him up.


    (The guards storm in, grabbing Shinjiro by his arms and hauling him to his feet. He struggles, his voice breaking.)


    Shinjiro: Let me go! Please! I didn’t do anything!


    Hirako: (Ignoring him) Bring him to the post.


    They drag Shinjiro out of the cell into the central chamber of the prison block, where a wooden post stands, its surface scarred from past punishments. The guards force Shinjiro’s arms above his head, tying his wrists tightly to the post.


    Shinjiro: (Panic rising) No! Stop! Please! I’m innocent!


    Hirako picks up a leather whip from the table nearby, its edges worn but still sharp. He flicks it in the air, the sound cracking like thunder. Shinjiro flinches, tears streaming down his face.


    Hirako: Who sent you? Speak, or this will only get worse.


    Shinjiro: (Screaming) No one sent me! I swear! I’m not a spy!


    Hirako’s expression remains cold as he swings the whip. The first lash strikes Shinjiro’s back, tearing through his thin shirt. He screams, his body jerking against the ropes.


    Shinjiro: ARGHHH! STOP! PLEASE!


    Hirako: (Calmly) Tell me the truth. Who are you working for?


    Shinjiro: (Crying) No one! I don’t know anything! Please stop!


    The whip cracks again, leaving another red welt on his back. Shinjiro’s screams echo through the chamber, mingling with the chuckles of the prisoner watching from his cell.


    One of the guards slams a baton against the prisoner’s cell bars, silencing him. Hirako focuses back on Shinjiro, his voice colder now.


    Hirako: Last chance. Speak, or you’ll wish you had.


    Shinjiro: (Pleading through his sobs) I’m innocent! Please, you have to believe me!


    The door creaks open, and Officer Kaede enters. Her sharp gaze takes in the scene—Shinjiro’s trembling form, the whip in Hirako’s hand, and the blood staining the floor.


    Kaede: Enough.


    Hirako lowers the whip, stepping back as Kaede approaches Shinjiro. She grabs his chin roughly, forcing him to meet her icy stare.


    Kaede: You’re a mess, boy. If you’re innocent, you’d better start proving it.


    She releases him with a shove, turning to Hirako.


    Kaede: What’s the status?


    Hirako: He claims he’s innocent. The prisoner says otherwise.


    Kaede: (Nods) Bring the priest. Let the spell decide.


    Hirako: That could take weeks. Until then?


    Kaede: (Coldly) Keep him alive. Barely. We’ll see how much truth a broken spirit can reveal.


    (Kaede leaves, and the guards untie Shinjiro from the post. He collapses to the ground, trembling and barely conscious. Hirako kneels beside him, his voice low.)


    Hirako: This is only the beginning. You’d better hope you’re not lying.


    He stands and walks away, the sound of his footsteps fading as Shinjiro lies motionless, his quiet sobs the only sound in the empty chamber.


    Scene: Prison yard, a week later


    Shinjiro is forced to work alongside other prisoners, hauling heavy stones under the watchful eyes of the guards. His back is covered in healing welts, and his movements are slow and strained. Hirako observes from a distance, his arms crossed.


    Guard: (Yelling) Move faster, boy, or you’ll end up back at the post!


    Shinjiro stumbles and falls, the stone slipping from his grasp. The guard raises his baton, but Hirako intervenes, his voice calm but firm.


    Hirako: That’s enough.


    The guard steps back reluctantly. Hirako approaches Shinjiro, who struggles to sit up, his breaths ragged.


    Hirako: (Quietly) Still alive?


    Shinjiro: (Weakly) Why... why are you doing this to me?


    Hirako doesn’t answer immediately. He crouches down, meeting Shinjiro’s gaze.


    Hirako: If you’re innocent, prove it. Until then, survive.


    Shinjiro’s eyes fill with tears, but he nods faintly. Hirako stands and walks away, his steps heavy with doubt. The boy’s screams from the whipping still linger in his mind, challenging everything he thought he knew about justice.


    Scene: Hirako sitting in his office


    (A guard enters)


    Hirako: What happened?


    Guard: We have news from the capital. Priest Patrick has gone missing.


    Hirako: What??


    Hirako rushes towards Shinjiro’s cell


    Hirako: Boy! The priest has gone missing.


    Shinjiro: You mean? I can’t prove my innocence?


    Hirako: Yes.


    Shinjiro: (silence)


    Shinjiro remembers the prisoner’s word “the sooner you die, it will be much better”


    Shinjiro: Kill me !


    Hirako: Guards! Leave!


    (Both guards leave the cell)


    Hirako: Why do you want to die?


    Shinjiro: Then what the hell do you want me to do????(angry)


    Shinjiro: Survive until then..Bullshit. I did! Now what??? Why am I going through this?? I did nothing wrong.


    Hirako: I believe you.


    Shinjiro: You believe me?? Don’t make me laugh!!! You!! You tortured me!


    Hirako: I did my job. My family died 8 months ago in the fire. I had a son your age.


    Shinjiro: The fire? My father said I am sorry and he disappeared with everyone else. He left me!! He abandoned me!! I did not do anything about that fire! I did not kill your family! My own family left me!! My friend! I don’t know where he is! (crying)


    Hirako: (silence)


    Shinjiro: Tell me what was my fault?


    Hirako: I don’t know.


    Shinjiro: (grabs Hirako’s knife) Yahhhhhh!!!


    Hirako: No.


    (He was about to stab himself)


    Shinjiro: I don’t wanna die!! Old man! I don’t wanna kill myself!!


    Hirako: I will find a way.


    (Damian enters the cell with Kaede)


    Damian: Hirako! We have confirmed his identity. He is a spy and he needs to die.


    Hirako: How? How did you confirm it?


    Damian: The prisoner told me.


    Hirako: He must be lying.


    Kaede: Hirako! There is no need. It’s an order from the royal capital.


    Damian: Throw him in the valley. He will die by the little beasts we captured.


    (end)