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Chapter 12 - "Weight of the Will"

PHANTOM ASHES – EPISODE 12

Scene 1 – Guild First Floor – Morning

(Trainees stand in a line. Mr. Kael arrives holding a stack of forms.)

Mr. Kael (firmly):

These forms are being handed out to all of you.

You must fill in your complete biodata. Understood?

(Grake and his roommate exchange a mysterious smile. They both subtly glance toward Zeno.)

Mr. Kael (strict):

I want these submitted by tomorrow morning.

No delays will be tolerated.

(Trainees quietly take the forms. The mood is tense. Suspense builds as Grake's roommate smirks.)

Scene 2 – Guild Command Room – Same Time

(Kaen Voss, Vanya, and Malric stand around a holo-table, reviewing data.)

Vanya (concerned):

Sir, I believe we should lock the guild library temporarily.

Malric (agreeing):

She's right. Several rare documents are unprotected.

Kaen Voss (firmly):

We can't lock the library…

(Just then, distant sounds of laughter echo from the hallway — Ren and Zeno playing around.)

*[SFX: Laughter – "Zeno, you're finished!" "Ren, wait up!"]

(The three look toward the source of the sound.)

Malric (smiling slightly):

Ren and Zeno… still training hard.

Vanya (nodding):

Their energy and bond… it's impressive.

Kaen Voss (smiling faintly):

Postpone today's test.

Let them have this day.

Vanya & Malric (together):

Understood, Sir.

(Kaen Voss walks away silently, heading toward his office.)

Scene 3 – Guild Courtyard – Afternoon

(Vanya stands before all trainees, clipboard in hand.)

Vanya (clearly):

Listen up – your next test is tomorrow. Be ready.

(Grake's roommate raises a hand casually, smirking.)

Roommate (mocking tone):

So the test that was supposed to be today... is now tomorrow?

Vanya (sharply):

Yes. Tomorrow.

(She turns and walks off with authority.)

(Grake watches her leave, then glances at his roommate with a quiet grin.)

Scene 4 – Training Hall – Evening

(Ren and Zeno are working out — weight training, endurance drills. They're tired but focused.)

(Emi enters with a soft smile, walking into the hall calmly.)

Emi (calling out):

Ren! Zeno!

Want to see the guild library?

Ren (confused):

The guild library?

Zeno (excited):

C'mon, Ren — we haven't even explored the whole association yet!

Ren (grinning):

Yeah… let's go!

(Emi leads the way. The three walk off together into the hallway as the scene slowly fades out.)

[SFX: Echoing footsteps through the guild halls]

[TO BE CONTINUED...]

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