Scene 1:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Sunlight filters through the leaves, illuminating a small clearing. Kiraki sits cross-legged on the forest floor, eyes closed, concentrating. He breathes deeply, trying to connect with the faint celestial hum he now perceives. Sweat beads on his forehead, but frustration clouds his face.
KIRAki: (Muttering)
Come on... why is it so hard?
He opens his eyes, defeated. Dejected, he stares at the silver pendant around his neck, the supposed Grimwore his mother gave him.
KIRAki: (Whispering)
Is this what I'm supposed to do?
A twig snaps behind him. Kiraki whirls around, his heart pounding. He sees a young boy, about his age, standing at the edge of the clearing. The boy has sharp green eyes and a mop of unruly brown hair. He holds a basket overflowing with berries.
BOY: (Smiling)
Hey there. Lost in the woods?
KIRAki: (Cautiously)
No, not lost. Just... looking for something.
BOY:
What's that? Maybe I can help. I know these woods like the back of my hand.
KIRAki: (Hesitates)
It's... something I can't see.
The boy raises an eyebrow, then shrugs.
BOY:
Well, that narrows it down a lot. Still, might be worth a try. The name's Zack. What about you?
KIRAki: (Smiling)
Kiraki. Nice to meet you, Zack.
Scene 2:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Kiraki and Zack walk side-by-side, Zack munching on a berry and offering the basket to Kiraki.
ZACK:
So, what exactly are you looking for in these woods? Buried treasure? A secret waterfall?
KIRAki: (Shakes his head)
It's more like... a voice. A connection.
ZACK: (Chuckles)
A voice? You sure you haven't been spending too much time talking to the trees?
Kiraki: (Frowning)
No, it's real! I hear it sometimes, a voice from the stars.
Zack stops walking, his expression turning serious.
ZACK:
The stars? You hear voices from the stars?
KIRAki: (Nods)
It happened after... after something bad happened.
He looks down at his shoes, not wanting to elaborate.
ZACK: (Gently)
Hey, it's okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But listen, voices from the stars... that's pretty cool. Maybe you're special, Kiraki.
KIRAki: (Eyes widen)
Special?
ZACK:
Yeah! Think about it. Not everyone hears voices from the stars. Maybe you're destined for something great.
A spark of hope ignites in Kiraki's eyes. Maybe Zack is right. Maybe this voice, this connection, is a sign.
Scene 3:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Kiraki and Zack reach a small stream. Kiraki closes his eyes, focusing on the celestial hum. He feels a faint pulse in the air, stronger near the water.
KIRAki: (Whispering)
It's stronger here... by the water.
He sits down by the stream, closes his eyes, and concentrates. This time, the voice is clearer.
VOICE: (Ethereal)
Young Kiraki, your grief is a storm cloud, obscuring your focus. Let the water cleanse your spirit, and the connection will flow freely.
Kiraki opens his eyes. He looks at the clear, flowing water, then back at Zack, who is watching him intently.
KIRAki: (Smiling)
Thanks, Zack. You helped more than you know.
He dips his hands in the cool water, letting it wash over his face. He closes his eyes once more, focusing on the serenity of the flowing water. Slowly, the celestial hum intensifies, morphing into a melody of starlight. Images flash in his mind – constellations swirling, stardust cascading, a sense of infinite power.
Kiraki: (Gasps)
I see it... I can feel it!
He opens his eyes, his face alight with wonder. A faint blue light shimmers around his hands.
ZACK: (Eyes wide)
Whoa