> "Sometimes, the loudest scream is the one you never hear — the one buried in silence."— Master Kazutora
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[Scene: Training Grounds – Temple of the Twelve Stars]
The sun was still asleep. Morning mist clung to the sacred stones where Renjiro trained alone. His shirt was off, body bruised, sword clutched tight. Sweat and fire danced around him as he repeated his blade forms with precision.
Each slash of his katana, Kagerou no Seigi (Shadow of Justice), ignited the air with his inner flame — a reflection of the storm he could never confess.
> Renjiro (in thought):"I’ve faced demons. I’ve stood on battlefields painted with blood. But saying her name out loud... that’s the war I keep losing."
He halted mid-swing. A whisper of a memory crossed his mind — Amiya, laughing in the cherry blossom grove, her eyes bright with peace.
> Renjiro (whispers):“Amiya... if only you knew.”
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[Scene: Temple Courtyard – Mid-morning]
Amiya stood by the reflecting pool, staring at her own reflection — not to admire beauty, but to understand the chaos behind her smile.
> Amiya (thinking):"He hides something. Always behind those stormy eyes. He burns alone, thinking I won’t notice."
Suddenly, Kaoru, her childhood friend and loyal knight, approached.
> Kaoru:“You think about him more than you admit. Don’t you?”
> Amiya (startled):“What are you—”
> Kaoru (calmly):“Renjiro. You care about him. And I care about you.”
He smiled, but there was sadness behind his eyes.
> Kaoru:“He’s a wildfire. You’re light. If you get too close... you’ll either save him, or burn with him.”
Amiya couldn’t reply. Her heart beat too loudly in that moment.
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[Scene: The Inner Vaults – Later That Night]
Renjiro met with the temple masters. They had summoned him for a mission — one that involved the Shadow Sect, the cult responsible for assassinating peace envoys.
> Elder Hana:“You are to infiltrate the Black Forest. If the sect awakens the Demon Veins, peace will be shattered across the Five Nations.”
> Renjiro:“Understood.”
> Kazutora (firmly):“But know this — your fire is unstable. If you let your emotions control you... you may become the very demon we seek to destroy.”
Renjiro remained silent, clenching his fist.
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[Scene: Departure – Moonlight at the Temple Gates]
Renjiro prepared to leave. Amiya found him standing alone by the gates, his armor glinting under the moon.
> Amiya:“Leaving without saying goodbye again?”
He turned, startled, but his face remained calm.
> Renjiro:“Goodbyes make things harder.”
> Amiya (stepping closer):“You always fight alone. Why?”
> Renjiro (softly):“Because I’m afraid... if I fight with someone beside me, I might start wishing to survive.”
> Amiya (eyes shining):“Then wish. Damn it, Renjiro. Wish to survive.”
There was silence. Their hearts screamed — but neither confessed.
He brushed past her gently, pausing just for a second.
> Renjiro (whispering):“If I don’t return... remember me as the flame that never asked to be lit.”
And with that, he vanished into the night.
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[Scene: The Forest of Black Veins – Later That Night]
Darkness thicker than death enveloped the ancient forest. Renjiro walked with caution. The shadows twisted unnaturally. Magic here was corrupt.
> Renjiro (thinking):"They feed on hatred. Pain. Regret. Just like my flame."
Suddenly — the earth rumbled.
From the shadows, a masked figure emerged, cloaked in void magic.
> Masked Cultist:“The boy with the cursed flame. Welcome to your final breath.”
> Renjiro:“You picked the wrong fire to extinguish.”
Battle erupted. Renjiro's sword clashed with the cultist’s void blade. Sparks and curses flew. Flames roared — but so did the shadows.
He was outnumbered.
Until—
> Voice from above:“Told you not to do everything alone.”
Kaoru landed beside him, blade drawn, eyes fierce.
> Renjiro (shocked):“What the hell are you doing here?!”
> Kaoru (grinning):“Saving your suicidal ass. Again.”
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