SHADOW HUNTERS
Episode 1: The Girl by the River
Rooftop Dojo, Evening Mist
A light drizzle falls. The city lights flicker below. Inside a candle-lit rooftop dojo, Master Ryou grey-haired, wise, battle-worn sips tea while speaking to Kaen, a hardened Shadow Hunter commander.
"Ryou... it's happening again. The creatures have evolved. We've lost five squads in a week.",Karen said in a serious tone.
"Five squads. I remember when we didn't even have five names for them., Kaen said still serious.
Kaen: "They don't fear us anymore. I saw one standing in broad daylight. Daylight."
Ryou: "The old signs are returning. The Eclipse draws near."
Kaen: "Then we need new hunters."
Ryou: "We need a miracle."
Kaen stands to leave, eyes hollow.
Kaen: "Then pray, old friend. Or train another."
At theRiverbank, Ryou walks through a foggy forest path toward the river. His footsteps pause when he spots something glinting in the shallow water. A girl's body, face-down, her hand clutched tightly around a black blade.
"A Shadow Dagger... and she's still breathing. Impossible.", Ryou said shocked.
He kneels, brushing soaked hair from her face. She is barely conscious.
"What happened to you, girl? Where did you find this?", Ryou asked softly.
She murmurs something inaudible Ryou lifts her gently into his arms.
"What happened to you little one and where did you find this blade?", Ryou asked as he carried her up out of the water
In a warm, lantern-lit room inside Ryou's hidden dojo, Yui lies wrapped in blankets. She wakes slowly, gasping.
"No! Don't! Mom... Dad!"
She sits up, trembling. Ryou is nearby, quiet.
"You're safe now. No shadows here.", He said calmly
"Who... who are you?",Yui asked.
"Someone who owes the world another warrior. And you... you've been chosen. That blade you carried isn't just a weapon. It's alive, do you remember anything", He said asking her a question.
"I... I remember running. Screaming. They were everywhere. Then...I fell and everything went dark."
"You held onto that dagger like your life depended on it. Or Maybe it did."
"I didn't even know how to fight. I just wanted to survive and protect.", Said hands shaking.
"Survival is the first lesson. You passed it. The rest... I can teach you.", He said softly.
Weeks pass. Yui trains under Ryou. One sunny morning, she follows a butterfly into the deeper woods. The forest is still. Too still.
"Come back, you little flutter!"said Yui laughing.
A sudden growl. The ground cracks. A massive Shadow Beast slithers from beneath the leaves, black tendrils writhing.
"No... not again!", Said a terrified Yui.
She draws her dagger instinctively. It hums with power but her hands shake. She lunges and tries to slash—misses. The beast smacks her aside.
"Ugh!"
Ryou arrives, roaring into action. His blade dances, slicing into the beast, but it adapts fast. It lashes out, grazing his ribs.
"Damn... it's stronger than before. Yui, get back!",shouts Yui.
Yui tries again, slashing wildly. The beast throws her into a tree. She cries out in pain. Ryou is bleeding now, staggering.
"No...."says Ryou.
The shadow moves close to Ryou but Suddenly, Yui's dagger glows. Her eyes widen. She screams, pushing herself off the ground, blood dripping from her brow.
"Leave him alone!",shouts Yui.
She charges. In one fluid, instinctive leap, she spins midair and SLASHES through the beast. A single, perfect arc. The creature screams—then disintegrates.
Silence. Ryou stares at her, stunned.
"That... was no beginner's strike.",he says softly.
Night. The fire crackles. Yui sits with her dagger in her lap, staring into the flames. Ryou limps over, dropping beside her with a groan.
"You saved me.",he says.
"I didn't didn't want you to die.",she said looking into the fire.
"That's what instinct was and the blade responded. You're bonded to it. That move you made... that wasn't due to training. That was raw talent."
"I don't want to be afraid anymore. I want to protect people. Even if I break every bone doing it.",Yui said with burning desires.
"Then tomorrow, we begin again. No more running, Yui. You're a Shadow Hunter now.",Ryou stated.
The wind whistles as shadows twitch in the distance.
TO BE CONTINUED...