Chapter 3: Aftermath & New Rules

INT. SHIN’S BEDROOM – MORNING

SHIN YAGAMI lies on the floor, groaning. Sunlight slips between blinds. Dust floats in the air.

SHIN
Ugh… my everything hurts.

He sits up, blinking hard. His memory slowly returns.

SHIN (V.O.)
The orb. The voice. The Wraith.
The fight.
The swords...

He looks down. The pendant is still there. Cold. Dark. Still.

SHIN
So it was real.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Obviously.
Did you think I was a fever dream?

SHIN jumps, clutching his chest.

SHIN
Dude! You scared the crap out of me!

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Correction: I saved your crap last night.
You’re welcome.

SHIN
...Right. You’re still in my head.
Awesome.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
You’re bonded to me now.
Get used to it.

SHIN stumbles to the mirror. Sees his torn shirt and bruised cheek. Then notices…

SHIN
What the hell is this?

Dark markings on his collarbone. Vein-like. Glowing faintly.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Side effect.
Our energy’s syncing.
Don’t worry, you’re not turning into a demon…
Yet.

SHIN
That’s not comforting.

He checks his phone. No calls. No messages. Pulls up a news app.

NEWS HEADLINE (V.O.)
“Unknown Energy Surge Levels Local Store. No Injuries Reported.”

SHIN (V.O.)
Same store. Same night.
And somehow... no one got hurt?

He scrolls. The article is vague. Excuses like wiring and weather.

SHIN
Somebody’s covering it up.

He looks at the orb again, frowning.

SHIN
Okay... what even are you?
Ghost? Weapon? Parasite?

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
I am Black Edge.
The last of the Seven Spirit Vessels.
Shadowborn energy forged to fight a forgotten war.

SHIN
...Cool.
But also, WHAT?

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
You don’t need all the answers yet.
Just the rules.

SHIN
Rules?

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Yes. Three of them.

SHIN
...You’ve gotta be kidding me.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Nope.
You’ve been marked.
Wraiths will come for you now.

SHIN clenches his fists.

SHIN
Then I need to get stronger.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Finally.
You’re starting to get it.

SHIN walks with a hoodie up, bag slung over one shoulder. The streets bustle quietly.

SHIN (V.O.)
Didn’t plan to go back to school.
But I needed... normal.

He passes vending machines. His eyes dart left and right.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
You’re not gonna scream in math class, are you?

SHIN
Shut up.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
You’re talking to yourself.

SHIN
I said shut up!

SHIN enters. The room falls silent. Students glance up.

MR. NAKASHITA (O.S.)
Yagami.
So kind of you to grace us with your presence.

SHIN
Pleasure’s all mine, sir.

He slides into his seat. Some soft snickers. Nakashita isn’t amused.

MR. NAKASHITA
My office. After class.

SHIN (muttering)
Looking forward to it.

He glances across the room—sees her. REINA KUROSE. Messy ponytail. Slight bruise. Sharp eyes.

SHIN (V.O.)
She’s here?
She goes to this school?

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
She’s watching you.

SHIN
Yeah, I noticed.
She didn’t say anything.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Maybe she’s waiting for something.

SHIN lounges on the railing, sandwich in hand. Eyes on the sky.

REINA (O.S.)
I never got to thank you properly.

He turns. She stands near the door, arms crossed.

SHIN
I didn’t do it for thanks.
You alright?

REINA
You fight like someone who’s used to getting into trouble.

SHIN
I breathe trouble.
What’s your name, anyway?

REINA
Reina Kurose.

SHIN
Kurose?
That name sounds familiar.

She doesn’t answer. Her gaze sharpens.

REINA
I saw what you did.
That blade.
Your eyes.
The way it vanished.

Cue tense music...

SHIN
Wait...
You saw that?

REINA
I’ve seen it before.
A long time ago.

SHIN rises slowly. His face hardens.

SHIN
Reina...
What do you know about this stuff?

She looks at the pendant around his neck. Pauses. Then...

REINA
That orb...
It killed my brother.

CUT TO BLACK.