Phantom Ashes – Episode 9
Scene 1: "Now Begins the Real Training"
Setting: Phantom Guild – Morning, Main Assembly Hall
(Wide shot – soft morning sunlight enters the hall. Ren, Zeno, Grake, and other trainees stand in line, all in a serious mood.)
Narration:
A new morning... and the wait for another challenge.
(Mr. Kael stands on stage, holding a digital tablet. His face is calm, but his eyes show command.)
Mr. Kael:
"You all cleared the previous tests. Reflexes, strength, and planning – were decent..."
(Pauses briefly)
"But now, the real training begins."
(Close-up – Ren and Zeno look at each other, both focused.)
Ren (thinking):
"Looks like the warm-up is over... now it's the real fight."
(Mr. Kael gestures upwards with his hand.)
Mr. Kael:
"Go to the 18th floor. Your new trainers are waiting."
(Wide shot – trainees head towards the lift. The lift display blinks: "Level 18 – Combat Wing")
Narration:
A floor... where training isn't just a test, it's transformation.
(The lift doors open. The light is dim, slight fog, and a strange tension in the air.)
(At a distance, two shadowy figures stand. Slowly they become clear—Vanya Kross, in dark tactical gear; and Malric Venn, muscular, wearing a half-mask.)
Narration:
They arrived... like darkness and lightning walking together.
(Malric steps forward, voice deep and authoritative.)
Malric Venn:
"Made it this far? Impressive. Now let's see how many of you survive."
(Vanya stands silently, but her eyes are sharply focused. She scans all trainees, pausing slightly on Zeno.)
Vanya Kross (calmly):
"There are no friends here... only survival matters."
(Ren looks slightly tense, Zeno stays composed. Grake stands with a confident smirk.)
Narration:
New instructors. New rules. A new nightmare.
Text on screen:
To be continued...
Scene 2: "Training or Elimination"
Setting: Phantom Guild – 18th Floor, Combat Training Hall
(Wide shot – Vanya and Malric lead the trainees into a large metallic hall. Some older trainees are already doing intense drills – push-ups, weapon forms, balance exercises.)
Narration:
The 18th floor... a battlefield-like hall where every moment was a challenge.
(Ren looks amazed, Zeno is focused. In the background are punching dummies and sparring rings.)
Ren (whispering):
"These guys... they're training like machines..."
(Malric stops in front of the trainees, voice loud and serious.)
Malric Venn:
"This isn't just a practice hall. It's a battlefield."
(Vanya steps forward, calm but with a cold expression.)
Vanya Kross:
"Your tests will continue even during training."
"Fail... and you only get three chances. The fourth time? Direct elimination."
(Close-up – all trainees look shocked or tense. Ren's face turns serious.)
Narration:
The game was no longer about rules... it was about consequences.
(Close-up – Grake glances sideways at Zeno. His face has a mysterious, almost wicked smile.)
Grake (thinking):
"Assassin... let's see how long you can hide your truth."
(Close-up – Zeno senses someone watching him, but his face remains blank. A flicker flashes in his eyes.)
Zeno (thinking):
"He's watching me... again."
(Wide shot – Malric and Vanya point towards a dueling zone.)
Malric Venn:
"Next command is simple – prove your worth."
Vanya Kross:
"Or get eliminated... quietly."
Malric Venn:
"Start warming up now."
Vanya Kross:
(Moves toward Mr. Kael's office)
Scene 3: "Speed of Light"
Setting: Phantom Guild – Combat Hall, Training in Progress
(Ren is training, but suddenly stops. His eyes spot a fast-moving figure.)
Ren (thinking):
"That... that girl… she's so fast!"
(Blurred motion – Emi dashes across the hall at super speed. Other trainees are shocked in the background.)
Ren (softly, to Zeno):
"Zeno… Zeno, look! Over there!"
(Zeno calmly looks in that direction, expression composed.)
Zeno:
"Hmm… looks easy."
(Ren turns to Zeno, stunned.)
Ren:
"What?! You think that looks easy?!"
(Suddenly, Emi appears right next to them. Ren and Zeno freeze in shock.)
SFX: Whooshhh!
Narration:
As if... it were the speed of light.
(Emi stands calmly in front of them, with a sweet smile.)
Emi:
"Why were you two staring at me?"
(Close-up – Zeno's face is calm, but he's reacting inside.)
Zeno (thinking):
"Her senses... are really sharp."
(Ren gives an awkward smile, scratching his head.)
Ren:
"Nothing… we were just watching your speed. It was… pretty impressive."
(Emi gives a slightly proud smile.)
Emi:
"Oh yeah. My speed's always like that… shocks everyone."
(Close-up – Zeno reacts internally again.)
Zeno (thinking):
"We never said we were shocked..."
(Emi softly laughs, casual and confident.)
SFX: Hehehe~
(Grake watches everything from a distance. His expression is serious.)
Grake (thinking):
"This girl… she's not just fast, she's sharp-minded too. I need to tell them about her..."
(Wide shot – the hall starts to fade, Emi's figure is highlighted at the center.)
Narration:
A new warrior had arrived… and with her, a new storm was beginning in the Phantom Guild.
To be continued...