(6 months ago)

  Scene: Inside a house

  Father! Look.

  Hirako: Oh, you look beautiful daughter. Are you going?

  She replies, Yes! I am going with mother and my friends are also going to be there

  (A festival was celebrated every year in the outskirts of the royal capital which was a great piece of attraction for the people living there. Hirako’s daughter was 11 years old . Being his only child, Hirako loved her more than anything)

  Will you not come with me? , says the child.

  Hirako: I am sorry Alicia, but I have to go to the royal capital.

  (Alicia was the daughter’s name. It means noble natured. She had black hair and her face looked as her mothers)

  It’s time to go or we will be late , the mother arrives to the scene.

  Alicia: I will not go without father. My all friends are coming with their parents.

  Hirako: Don’t be like that. I will try my best and arrive at the festival before it ends. Okay?

  Alicia: Okay.

  Take care, Husband , kissing Hirako on the cheeks.

  (scene change)

  (A few hours passed by. The festival was at it’s climax. Hirako had managed to finish his work and was on the way to reach the festival)

  Scene: Hirako was riding a carriage to the festival.

  Mr Noble Sir, Is it true about that cult? , asks the coachman.

  (The carriage driver is called the coachman or whip)

  Hirako: It’s not something you people have to worry about. We will be dealing with them soon enough.

  The Arcanors are a lot of trouble on their own and these cults have been stressing the people.

  Hirako: Yeah, you are right. The Arcanors are a real issue but the last time we faced any was 10 years ago.

  How can I forget that? I thought It was all going to end but they showed up.

  Hirako: Those bastards, though they are helpful. They always cause a mess and they don’t come under the royal jurisdiction.

  (The horses stumble)

  What was that?

  (It was a blast. A sound was heard following the shockwaves)

  Hirako: Where did it come from?

  It’s the festival

  (Hirako grabs his knife and cuts the rope joining the horse to the carriage)

  Hirako: Lend me your horse.

  Hurry up sir, It’s all yours

  (Hirako rushes with the horse to the site)

  (The tall structures made for circus, rides, the festival lights all collapsed. A fire emerging devouring everything. It was chaos people running away. The people ran for their life and if someone fell, they were stomped. The children in particular. It’s a reality of the world)

  (Hirako arrives at the entrance and sees the chaos)

  Hirako: Don’t panic! Run towards the wells and bring whatever you can.

  (Hirako gets off the horse and runs toward the festival pushing others against one by one)

  (Hirako was stunned at the sight seeing nothing but destruction. He searched for his wife and his daughter. He kept searching but ..)

  Alicia! Jona!

  Where are you?

  (running in the fire)

  Alicia!!

  (scene change)

  (Present)

  Scene: Hirako riding the carriage.

  We have arrived , Sir

  Hirako: Thank you for your help.

  It’s my pleasure to help you Sir. That’s all I can do

  (The coachman left with the carriage)

  (Hirako was standing at the gate of a house)

  Who are you? , asks the guard.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  I want to meet him. Tell him my name is Hirako.

  (The guard comes back after a while and opens the gate)

  Follow me

  (The guard leads him to the guest room in the house)

  Sit down

  (Hirako sits down on the sofa)

  (A man enters. He looked young, probably 26 years old)

  You can leave now , says the man to the guard.

  (And he proceeds to sit down in front of Hirako)

  It’s been a while. Why are you here? Old-man.

  Hirako: Iris ! Help him.

  Iris: Who are you talking about?

  Hirako: You already know.

  Iris: The spy? Why should I help him?

  Hirako: It’s because I believe him.

  Iris: Are you sane? It must be easy for him to fool you.

  Hirako: He is just an innocent boy. When I look at him, I feel pity for him.

  Iris: Is that all?

  Hirako: He resembles you from the time I first met you. The reason for me to become an royal officer was you.

  Iris: I am glad to hear you praise me. But I don’t help criminals.

  Hirako: Iris Hawke! I believe in that boy. Save him!

  Iris: After that? Where is he going? Leave the capital and join the Daimyojins.

  Hirako: I will hide him from all.

  Iris: Why go that far?

  Hirako: You asked me the same question years ago and my reply is the same.

  Iris: You can go home. I will bring him to you.

  (Scene change)

  Scene: Shinjiro with handcuffs ready to be thrown in the valley.

  (It was a small cliff leading to a forest but one could not know the depth as it was covered with dense fog . Even if someone fell down they would not die from the fall but from the beasts )

  Damian: Throw him!

  (The guards pick Shinjiro)

  Shinjiro: No! Please ! No!

  (The guards were struggling with Shinjiro)

  Damian: Do it!

  (After a lot of struggle they managed to throw him down)

  (Shinjiro landed on back and fainted)

  Shinjiro: (opens his eyes) I am alive. How?

  (He tries to stand up on his feet and runs towards the forest away from the cliff)

  Shinjiro: I was lucky. Thank you God. I can escape this hell finally.

  (Shinjiro hears a sound, a wolf grumbling his teeth. It looked like a wolf but it was bigger and more furious.)

  (Damian was standing on the cliff with the gaurds and Kaede)

  Damian: He must be dead by now.

  Kaede: Possibly.

  (Iris arrives)

  Iris: What are you people doing here?

  Damian: Why are you here?

  Iris: It’s my hunting ground.

  Kaede: It’s him. Iris Hawke, He is an Aetherblade.

  Iris: Do we have a problem here?

  Damian: It’s an execution ground. Come back later.

  Iris: I am going down.

  Damian: Didn’t you hear me?

  Iris: (stares at him) I did. You should shut up before you piss me off.

  Kaede: Mr. Damian. Let him do what he wants.

  Damian: (nervous) You are right.

  (scene change)

  Shinjiro: What was that?

  (The wolf jumps at him)

  Shinjiro: (falls down dodging it) A wolf? No it is a beast. I am going to die!

  (Wolf grumbles again and attacks him)

  (Iris arrived at the scene and cuts him down)

  Shinjiro: I am saved! (to himself)

  Iris: Are you the spy?

  Shinjiro: No.

  Iris: Who are you then? What are you doing here?

  Shinjiro: They wanted to kill me and threw me here.

  Iris: So you are the spy.

  Shinjiro: I am not a spy. Believe me.

  Iris: Oh! (walks towards him)

  Shinjiro: I mean it. I am not a spy!! (he raises his hand for defense)

  Iris: (cuts the chain binding his hands)

  Shinjiro: (opens his eyes) I am alive. Thank you for believing me. Who are you?

  Iris: Stand up.

  Shinjiro: Thank you.

  Iris: Go ran away.

  Shinjiro: Thank you again.

  Shinjiro: Where should I go? (realises)

  (Shinjiro stops all of a sudden)

  Shinjiro: Mister! Where am I supposed to go?

  Iris: Your home. If you are not a spy. And to the Daimyojin’s hideout If you are spy. I will track you down.

  Shinjiro: I don’t have a home. I can’t go back to the village. I have no one there.

  Iris: What about your parents?

  Shinjiro: They disappeared. I don’t know why. It was my fault I guess. I wasn’t able to do anything. I lost my friend too, if only I understood him and could help him. I am sorry if I talk too much it’s been a while since I talked like this. (cries)

  Iris: (to himself) It was probably not his fault.

  Shinjiro: Where am I supposed to go? (cries)

  Iris: Listen kid! Become an aetherblade! (knocks Shinjiro out)

  (Iris brought Shinjiro safely to Hirako)

  Shinjiro woke up but his memory was vivid about what happened. He did remember Iris and Hirako told Shinjiro about how Iris saved his life. Shinjiro’s body healed after some months. He did not leave the house as Hirako was being careful about protecting and hiding him.

  (Hirako writing his journal)

  Shinjiro’s physical wounds have healed now. But even though he smiles, I feel a sense of sadness from him. He asks me about his friend. I am trying to investigate about him but I know nothing at the moment. He is getting frustrated about not able to go outside. It has been 6 months since I met him. I let him go outside today, Today has been one year since I lost my family. The same day of the festival. I miss you Alice and Joan!

  (In the festival, A show was going on)

  Historian:

  ( Standing atop a stone platform, addressing a gathering of young recruits in the glow of a setting sun. )

  In the Age of Ruin, the world was unrecognizable. The skies wept ash, the earth cracked under endless wars, and from the void came the Arcanors—monstrosities born of hatred and despair. Armies crumbled, cities fell, and hope seemed to vanish like breath on a cold morning.

  ( The Historian gestures to an ancient emblem etched into the stone—a symbol of crossed blades wreathed in energy. )

  But in that darkness, one man stood against the tide. S. The Aetherblade. A name spoken not with reverence, but with awe, as if it could burn the tongue.

  Young Listener:

  ( Leaning forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity. )

  They say he was a god. Is that true?

  Historian:

  ( Chuckles dryly, their voice lowering to a solemn murmur. )

  A god? No. S was mortal—flesh and bone like you and me. But he carried within him a power no god could match. He didn’t wield aether as others did—he became it. His strength was unrelenting, his strikes like the wrath of the heavens. Alone, he held back the Arcanors when armies could not.

  ( The Historian’s voice grows heavier, filled with awe and sorrow. )

  But even S knew he couldn’t fight forever. And so, he forged a brotherhood. A handful of warriors who had witnessed his strength and followed him into the fire. These were the first Aetherblades—not soldiers, not generals, but warriors driven by sheer will and unbreakable resolve.

  Skeptical Listener: ( Frowning. )

  How could he trust anyone with power like his? Wouldn’t they falter?

  Historian: ( Turning sharply, their gaze piercing. )

  S didn’t choose them for their strength or skill. He chose them for their hearts—their refusal to bow to fear, their resolve to stand even when death loomed. Under his guidance, they learned to harness the energy within themselves, though none ever matched his brilliance.

  ( The Historian pauses, drawing the audience into the weight of their words. )

  When S vanished after the final battle, his group remained. They were no longer just a handful of warriors. They had become a symbol of resistance—a shield against the darkness. The Aetherblades rose as an order, not to conquer, but to defend. To carry forward S’s legacy: that strength is a duty, not a privilege.

  Elder Listener: ( Speaking softly, with a tinge of melancholy. )

  But even now, they say the Aetherblades still seek him, don’t they?

  Historian:( Nods slowly. ) They do. Because while they stand as protectors of this fractured world, they know the truth. Should the Arcanors rise again, should the world teeter once more on the brink of ruin, it is not they who will save us.

  Young Listener:( Eyes widening. ) It will be him.

  Historian:( Smiling faintly, looking toward the distant horizon. )

  Yes. S. The Aetherblade. The one who led us into the light, and who, perhaps, will return when the shadows threaten to consume us once more.