Scene: Mountain Residence - Early Morning
The wind carries a cool breeze across the mountainside, ruffling the trees that surround Jason Anghad's small residence. The morning sun is barely peeking over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Derek Onisek, still riding the high from his intense training, is now staring warily at the mysterious figure in the white cloak. His sword is half-raised, his body tense, prepared to strike.
The figure, however, seems completely unfazed. He stands with a calm, almost lazy posture, his face obscured by the hood of the cloak. His voice is deep, rumbling like distant thunder as he finally speaks.
Mysterious Figure: (with a low, manly tone) "What's up?"
The casual greeting catches Derek off guard. He narrows his eyes, glancing over at Jason, who is still seated in the same position, his eyes closed, deep in meditation. The quiet hum of Jason's Teja aura fills the air around him, but Jason doesn't stir, remaining perfectly still as if unaware of the new arrival.
Derek: (gritting his teeth, voice sharp) "Who are you? What do you want?"
Before Derek can move, Jason—without opening his eyes or even shifting his position—responds calmly, his voice carrying through the clearing like a soft breeze.
Jason: "You.."
Jason: (quietly, but firmly) "What do you want?"
The figure in the white cloak tilts his head slightly, though the expression under the hood remains hidden. He doesn't seem intimidated by Derek's aggression, nor does he seem concerned by Jason's quiet authority. Instead, his voice carries a hint of amusement.
Mysterious Figure: (shrugging, casual) "Nothing. I'm here for some work in the kingdom. I thought to meet you."
Derek frowns, lowering his sword slightly but keeping his guard up. There's something strange about this person. It's not just the cloak or the casual tone—it's his aura. Derek can't quite pinpoint it, but the energy radiating from the stranger feels... strong. Almost as strong as Jason's. And that fact makes Derek uneasy.
SFX: The soft rustling of the cloak in the wind, the distant murmur of wind through the trees.
Derek's mind races, trying to make sense of the situation. No one should have been able to find Jason—Jason had told him countless times that his Teja scent was untraceable unless someone was directly in his presence. But this figure had appeared without warning, seemingly tracking them with ease. How?
Derek: (thinking to himself, suspicious) "No one should've been able to find Master here… How did he know where to look?"
His grip on the hilt of his sword tightens slightly. Whoever this person is, they must be incredibly powerful—maybe even on the same level as Jason himself. Derek swallows hard, unsure of what to do next.
The stranger turns his attention back to Jason, who still hasn't moved.
Mysterious Figure: (curious, voice calm) "Who's this kid?"
Jason's lips twitch slightly, but his eyes remain closed as he responds.
Jason: (gruffly) "He's Derek. My student."
There's a pause, and for the first time, the figure seems to take a genuine interest in Derek, turning his gaze toward him. The stranger takes a step closer, his Teja aura flaring briefly before settling back down. It's a subtle shift, but enough to make Derek feel the immense power radiating from the man.
SFX: The faint hum of Teja energy crackling in the air, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.
Mysterious Figure: (cheerfully) "Well, hello there, Derek."
Derek glances back at Jason, but his master has fallen silent again, fully immersed in his meditation. It's clear Jason isn't going to intervene in whatever happens next, leaving Derek alone with the enigmatic stranger. The figure doesn't seem threatening—at least, not overtly—but something is unsettling about him.
Derek lowers his sword slightly, still cautious but more curious than afraid now.
Derek: (grudgingly, muttering) "Hi."
The stranger chuckles, his tone light and friendly despite the thick tension in the air. He gestures with his hand, motioning for Derek to follow him.
Mysterious Figure: "Come on, let's talk somewhere else. Your master's busy. Don't want to disturb him any more than we already have."
Derek hesitates, glancing once more at Jason, but his master remains motionless, lost in his world. With a resigned sigh, Derek sheathes his sword and follows the figure. Together, they walk a short distance until they find a large tree at the edge of the clearing. The figure sits down at the base of the tree, folding his legs casually, while Derek stands nearby, still on edge.
SFX: The soft crunch of leaves underfoot, the distant chirp of birds as they sit beneath the tree.
The stranger leans back against the tree, his arms resting casually on his knees, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. His presence is strange, almost unnatural, and yet he exudes an air of calm that contrasts with Derek's wariness.
Mysterious Figure: (lightly, almost teasingly) "So, how did you end up here in the mountains, Derek?"
Derek:(smiling and in a low voice, trembling) I grew up in the countryside and decided to move to the city to take the Gunxam Exam. However, I found myself in a difficult situation as I didn't have a place to live and was running low on funds. Despite my efforts, I couldn't find an affordable place to stay. One day, while I was taking a walk to clear my mind, I stumbled upon a training area where I met a Master. We struck up a conversation, and I shared my predicament with him. To my surprise, he offered me a place to stay and even took me under his wing to train me for the Gunxam Exam. His generosity and mentorship made all the difference, and I'm incredibly grateful for his help.
Derek crosses his arms, unsure how much to reveal. He doesn't want to give away too much, especially to someone he doesn't trust.
Mysterious Figure:( manly tone, surprised) "I was really surprised to know that Jason went down to the city and he also isn't the type of person who usually offers someone a place to live, and more surprising that he even trained someone who is not even his acquaintance."
But before he can come up with an answer, the figure speaks again, this time with a knowing tone.
Mysterious Figure: (smiling) "You don't have to lie, you know. I'm aware that you're not from this world. Just like Jason and still if you want to lie then you can."
Derek freezes. His mind races, trying to process what the man just said. How does he know? How does this stranger know about him and Jason? The only person in this world who knew about his origins was Jason—and Jason had never told anyone else. Derek's heart pounds in his chest as he narrows his eyes at the figure.
Derek: (coldly, suspicious) "How do you know that? Who are you?"
The stranger tilts his head slightly, his hood obscuring most of his face, but Derek can sense the amusement in his expression.
Mysterious Figure: (calmly) "I know a lot of things, Derek. Jason isn't as good at keeping secrets as he thinks he is. And neither are you, for that matter."
Derek clenches his fists, trying to calm himself down. This man was toying with him, playing with his mind. But even as the frustration builds, Derek can't help but feel a strange sense of curiosity. He wants to know who this person is—how he knows so much about Jason and him.
SFX: The soft rustle of leaves in the wind, the distant hum of insects in the forest.
They sit in silence for a few moments, the tension between them thick in the air. Finally, the stranger speaks again, his voice softer this time.
Mysterious Figure: "You're curious, aren't you? About who I am?"
Derek doesn't respond, but his silence speaks volumes. The stranger chuckles, and for the first time, he reaches up and grasps the edges of his cloak.
Mysterious Figure: "Alright, I'll show you."
With a slow, deliberate movement, the figure pulls back the hood of his cloak, revealing his face to Derek for the first time. Derek's breath catches in his throat as he stares at the man in front of him.
The stranger is tall, about the same height as Derek, but his aura feels different. There's a calm, almost serene energy radiating from him, but beneath that, Derek can sense the immense power—power that rivals Jason's.
SFX: The whisper of fabric as the cloak falls away, the faint hum of energy lingering in the air.
Derek stares in shock, his heart racing as he tries to process what he's seeing.
Derek: (thinking, voice full of disbelief) "Who is this guy? How can he know so much about me and Master? And why is he able to know that many secrets about me and Master?"
But before he can ask any more questions, the scene cuts, leaving Derek's thoughts hanging in the air like the mist surrounding the mountain.