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Chapter 6 - "One Chance Only"

Phantom Ashes – Episode 6

Scene 1: "One Chance Only"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Arena Hall (Morning)

(Wide shot – Kaien Voss stands on stage; all 18 teams are lined up below with serious expressions.)

Narration:

"Guildmaster Kaien Voss... had taken command himself."

Kaien Voss:

"Your first and second tests will be conducted by Mr. Rael."

"But listen carefully…"

(Close-up – Kaien Voss's intense face, eyes full of authority.)

Kaien Voss:

"If you fail the first test, you get one more chance."

"But if you fail even that one chance…"

"Your journey with the Phantom Guild ends here."

(Mid shot – Trainees look at each other in shock.)

Narration:

"One mistake... and an entire year wasted."

(Ren and Zeno glance at each other with light confident smiles.)

Ren (softly):

"One chance is enough."

Zeno (calmly):

"We'll manage."

(Close-up – Grake looks at the others with arrogance.)

Grake:

"Everything's possible for me."

"Test or final battle... I can ace them all."

(Ren, Zeno, and some trainees look at Grake – some surprised, some unimpressed.)

Narration:

"Once again, all eyes turned to him – Grake."

(Close-up – Ren calmly watches Grake, face serious and focused.)

Ren (thinking):

"Big talkers... usually don't deliver much."

(Wide shot – Mr. Rael approaches Kaien with a digital tablet in hand.)

Mr. Rael:

"All trainees – take your positions."

"The first test is about to begin."

"Remember – one mistake, one last chance… or elimination."

(Close-up – Zeno quietly takes his stance, background full of tension.)

Narration:

"The game had become serious... every step carried risk."

(Screen starts to fade – all trainees look ready at their positions.)

Text on screen:

"To be continued…"

Scene 2: "The Test of Reflex"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Arena Hall (Moments later)

(Wide shot – The center of the arena floor suddenly opens. A circular platform with small glowing panels rises.)

Narration:

"The Guild had created a new battlefield for this test…"

(Mid-shot – Mr. Rael presses a button on his tablet. The platform begins to rotate slowly.)

Mr. Rael:

"This is your first test – the Reflex Grid Challenge."

"It's not just about speed… but your decision-making too."

(Close-up – Digital screen flashes test name: "Reflex Grid Challenge – 60 Seconds Survival")

Narration:

"One minute… but danger in every second."

(Wide shot – Trainees take positions around the grid. Floor panels blink randomly – some red, some green.)

Mr. Rael (loudly):

"Stand only on green panels. Red panel? Instant elimination."

"And if you step outside the grid – you're OUT."

(Close-up – Ren stands at the panel's edge with focused eyes.)

Ren (thinking):

"Timing and balance… both need to be perfect."

(Zeno calmly takes stance, background filled with machine hums.)

Zeno (thinking):

"No movement should be random… I can read the system."

(Close-up – Grake clenches his fists, wearing a confident smirk.)

Grake:

"Reflex test? Child's play."

(Mr. Rael starts the countdown. All trainees move into ready stance.)

Mr. Rael:

"3… 2… 1… BEGIN!"

(Wide dynamic shot – Platform rotates, panels blink. Some trainees step on red panels and vanish instantly – their bands deactivate.)

SFX:

BEEP! BUZZ! ZAP!

(Ren and Zeno jump in sync onto green panels.)

Narration:

"Where many were falling… a few were flying."

(Close-up – One trainee panics and lands on a red panel. The monitor flashes 'ELIMINATED'.)

SFX:

ERROR BUZZ!

Trainee (shouting):

"No! Damn it!"

(Top view – Only 12 teams remain on the reflex grid. Clock shows 5 seconds left.)

Narration:

"In 60 seconds… true talent had shined."

(Final frame – Mr. Rael calmly watches the scoreboard. Kaien Voss silently observes from the background.)

Text on screen:

"To be continued…"

Scene 3: "Aftershocks"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Lounge Area (Immediately after the test)

(Wide shot – Surviving teams exit the arena into the lounge. Some are tired, some silent, some confident.)

Narration:

"The Reflex Grid tested more than reflexes… it tested nerves."

(Mr. Rael stands before a screen showing the names of the 12 remaining teams.)

Mr. Rael:

"Congratulations. Only 12 teams remain."

"But don't celebrate yet – the second test is coming."

(Close-up – Ren wipes sweat with a towel, relaxed but focused.)

Ren (thinking):

"One test down… but Kaien Voss is still watching. The pressure's not over."

(Mid-shot – Zeno stands in a corner, eyes closed, controlling his breath.)

Zeno (thinking):

"After each test… some break mentally. We won't be like them."

(Close-up – Grake looks annoyed at the scoreboard. His teammate stands silently in the background.)

Grake (gritting teeth):

"Ren and Zeno… how do they always survive?"

(Over-the-shoulder – Kaien Voss watches from the balcony. His face is calm, but intense.)

Narration:

"The Guildmaster didn't just choose fighters… he searched for fire within."

(Mr. Rael swipes his tablet – another screen activates showing the next test's name.)

Screen Text:

"Next Test: Tactical Instinct – Begins in 30 Minutes"

(Ren and Zeno look at the screen. Ren looks excited, Zeno stays focused.)

Ren (softly):

"Tactical Instinct? Time to play smart."

Zeno:

"This test will depend on our choices. Every move will matter."

(Wide shot – Trainees sit in chairs. Some rest, some quietly discuss strategies.)

Narration:

"The next test… wasn't about strength, but about thinking."

"In the Phantom Guild, you have to be perfect in every angle."

(Close-up – Mr. Rael gives a final serious announcement.)

Mr. Rael:

"30 minutes. After that, the second test begins."

"Be prepared – only the sharpest will survive."

(Silent shot – Zeno and Ren look at each other. No words, just understanding.)

Narration:

"A silent bond… a shared mission."

(Screen dims slowly. A digital clock ticks in the background.)

Text on screen:

"To be continued…"

Scene 4: "First Cut"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Arena Hall (Just after Reflex Grid ends)

(Wide shot – Reflex platform has stopped. All panels are now off. Mr. Rael walks slowly onto the stage.)

Narration:

"60 seconds had ended… it was time for judgment."

(Mr. Rael checks data on his tablet, expression calm.)

Mr. Rael:

"Results are ready."

"The Reflex Grid Challenge is complete."

(Close-up – The screen flashes numbers: 'PASS: 14 Teams' | 'FAIL: 4 Teams')

Narration:

"14 teams survived… 4 were eliminated."

(Ren and Zeno look at each other with light confident smiles.)

Ren (grinning softly):

"That was easy…"

Zeno (calmly):

"Next time, we need to be even faster."

(Close-up – Grake stands with a proud look, arms folded.)

Grake (smirking):

"Told you… that test was just a warm-up."

(Wide shot – Some eliminated trainees silently leave in the background, looking defeated. Their gear is deactivated.)

Narration:

"Some… were left behind as mere spectators."

(Mr. Rael faces the remaining trainees, voice firm.)

Mr. Rael:

"Those who failed… your journey with the Phantom Guild ends here."

"To the remaining 14 teams – congratulations. You move to the next stage."

(Wide shot – Surviving teams are shown resting, but their eyes still reflect seriousness. Ren, Zeno, and Grake all stand in separate corners.)

Narration:

"One test was over… but the real exam was just beginning."

(Close-up – Kaien Voss watches them from the balcony. His eyes intense, face unreadable.)

Narration:

"Kaien Voss… observed every movement, every decision."

(Final image – The arena fades, and shadows of the trainees are cast on the floor.)

Text on screen:

"To be continued…"

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