EPISODE 13: “The Journey Begins: Five Paths, One Destiny”
[INT. VILLAGE CEREMONY STAGE – MORNING]
The village bell rings. Villagers gather. The King stands at the center with the five cloaked figures before him: Tenzai, Midori, Zetsuya, Ragnar… and the mysterious Raiko.
KING (booming voice)
Today, five souls rise. Chosen by trial, forged by fate. They walk a path that few return from… but many remember.
The crowd cheers. Tenzai raises a fist. Midori bows. Zetsuya stands still. Ragnar smirks. Raiko closes his eyes, a breeze swirling at his feet.
VILLAGER (whispering)
Who is the fifth one…? He wasn’t in the last matches.
ELDER
That’s Raiko Tsunemaru. He passed all three trials… flawlessly.
---
[MONTAGE – FAREWELLS]
[EXT. TENZAI’S HOME – FRONT YARD]
Tenzai’s sister hugs him tightly and hands him a wrapped dagger.
TENZAI’S SISTER
This was Grandpa’s. Make sure you come back with stories, not scars.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
TENZAI
Deal.
---
[INT. MIDORI’S HOUSE]
Midori’s mother places a crystal pendant around her neck.
MIDORI’S MOTHER
Let your father’s strength guide you. He walks with you now.
---
[EXT. CEMETERY – ZETSUYA KNEELING BY A GRAVE]
ZETSUYA
I’ll find the truth, Grandpa. I promise… I won’t lose control.
---
[EXT. TEMPLE MONASTERY – RAGNAR SILENTLY BOWING TO MONKS]
He straps on his axe and walks away without a word.
---
[EXT. EDGE OF VILLAGE – RAOKO SITTING ON A ROCK]
Raiko carves a symbol into the wind with his flute-blade. He turns as the others arrive.
TENZAI
So… Raiko, right? You always this quiet?
RAIKO (calmly)
Only when I’m thinking.
MIDORI (crossing arms)
I hope you fight louder than you talk.
---
[EXT. TRIAL ZONE 1 – PATH OF ECHOING SOULS – LATE AFTERNOON]
The group walks into a canyon filled with mist. The air is thick. Shadows slither between rocks.
ZETSUYA
This place… it’s not normal.
MIDORI
This is where aura twists into fear.
Suddenly, the group is hit by illusions.
---
[ILLUSION SEQUENCES]
TENZAI’S ILLUSION:
His sister lies bleeding. He screams, unable to reach her.
MIDORI’S ILLUSION:
She watches the village burn, vines choking her mother.
ZETSUYA’S ILLUSION:
His parents beg forgiveness, then morph into monsters and attack.
RAGNAR’S ILLUSION:
He sees himself slaughtering innocents, losing control.
RAIKO’S ILLUSION:
Silence. He stands in a void where no wind blows… until a broken flute plays behind him. He opens his eyes.
---
[EXT. CANYON – RAIKO BREAKS THE ILLUSIONS]
Raiko plays a single, sharp note. A wave of sound pulses outward, disrupting the mist. The others start to break free.
MIDORI (panting)
What… was that?
RAIKO (calmly unsheathing blade)
Frequency disruption. Sound clears fog. Wind guides the lost.
They regroup. Tenzai charges up an electric aura.
TENZAI
No more tricks. Let’s finish these things!
A swarm of shadow wolves appears. The five fight together in formation.
Tenzai: Thunder punches and water blasts
Midori: Vine traps and kunai
Zetsuya: Shadow clones and explosive strikes
Ragnar: Lava-powered smash attacks
Raiko: Wind steps and sonic slashes
They destroy the creatures. The mist fades. They breathe heavily, but stand tall.
---
[EXT. CAMPFIRE – NIGHTFALL]
The five sit around a low-burning fire. Tension eases. Tenzai looks at the wooden token Eva gave him earlier.
MIDORI (to Raiko)
You really don’t talk much, huh?
RAIKO
Words are wind. Actions are storms.
ZETSUYA
He’s got a point.
A low growl echoes in the distance. Five heads snap to the dark treeline.
RAGNAR (grinning)
Finally… something big.
---
[CAMERA PANS OUT – A MASSIVE SHADOW MOVES IN THE DARKNESS]
TEXT ON SCREEN:
Next Episode: “The Swamp of the Crawling King”
