NOON – ARENA TRIALS – DAY 3
The arena is packed. The duels grow more intense. The crowd roars as one match ends and another begins.
Shin-Ri steps onto the platform—silent, focused. His blade gleams under the sun. Across from him stands a boy his age, tall, calm, with clean footwork and sharp eyes.
ANNOUNCER:
Next match—Shin-Ri the Swordsboy... versus Riku of Eastvale!
Riku draws his blade in one fluid motion. His stance is humble—but perfect.
RIKU:
I've been watching you, too.
SHIN-RI:
Then you know not to underestimate me.
RIKU:
Exactly why I won't.
DUEL – MOMENTS LATER
They clash. Blade to blade. Steel sings through the air.
Shin-Ri dodges, counters—fast, calculated. But Riku doesn't falter. He reads each move like a mirror.
Step. Strike. Parry.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
He's... matching me?
No—he's studied me.
Riku spins low and sweeps Shin-Ri's leg. Shin-Ri staggers. One last strike—Riku's blade grazes his shoulder, stopping just short of skin.
Shin-Ri drops to one knee. Silence.
ANNOUNCER:
Winner—Riku of Eastvale!
AFTER THE MATCH – HEALING TENT
Shin-Ri sits quietly, wrapping his shoulder. He stares at the bandage like it's heavier than steel.
Riku enters with two cold drinks. He sets one beside him.
RIKU:
That was a good fight.
You're sharper than anyone here. Just... predictable.
SHIN-RI:
You learned my movements.
RIKU:
You'd have done the same.
You will, next time.
Shin-Ri looks at him, surprised. Then nods.
SHIN-RI:
Next time... I'll adapt faster.
RIKU:
Then next time... I'll be ready for that too.
They clink their cups. Quiet respect grows.
EVENING – MOUNTAIN TRAINING GROUNDS
Shin-Ri and Riku train under the fading sun. Gojiro watches from a stump, stroking his beard.
GOJIRO:
So... the blade that lost has found a mirror.
RIKU:
You must be the great Gojiro.
GOJIRO:
"Great" is an overstatement.
But I see the difference in your duel.
You fight with vision.
SHIN-RI:
I want that vision.
The kind that sees more than just strikes.
Gojiro stands, picks up a long wooden stick, and draws a symbol in the dirt—two crossing swords, with an eye above them.
GOJIRO:
Strategy isn't about power.
It's about patterns. Rhythm. Weakness.
You two could learn much... from each other.
He tosses them both weighted bamboo swords.
GOJIRO:
Let's see if you can fight...
without fighting like yourselves.
The boys glance at each other. Then take stance—new styles, new minds.
NIGHT – CLIFFSIDE
Shin-Ri and Riku sit quietly, overlooking the distant Sword Towers. Fireflies blink around them. The stars above are clear.
RIKU:
Do you ever think about quitting?
SHIN-RI:
No.
Even when I fall... I'm still climbing.
RIKU:
What are you climbing toward?
Shin-Ri closes his eyes. Sees a flash of the faceless shadow. His hand grips the ground.
SHIN-RI:
Justice.
Or revenge.
Maybe both.
RIKU:
Then I'll help you climb.
Until I have to stop you myself.
They both smile faintly.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
That day, I learned something harder than winning—
...how to lose without breaking.
To bend... without shattering.
To walk beside someone...
without forgetting why I fight alone.
TO BE CONTINUED...