Lecture hall inside Reaper Academy: Ancient scrolls line the walls along with spectral runes that glow softly. Kyo, Mei, Daiki, and all the other students sit quiet, eyes fixed to the front as Professor Shinigami stands at the head of the room, his shadowy form illuminated by the ghostly glow of an orb hovering near his hand.
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
in a low, commanding voice
"Listen well, recruits. That which I am about to tell you will be the foundation of your being as reapers."
[The orb pulses and images begin to form in the air: a huge starry expanse, filled with swirling lights and shadows.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"This. is the fabric of the afterlife. A delicate balance, maintained by forces far beyond your comprehension. And it is your duty, your only duty as reapers, to keep that balance intact."
[The image shifts, showing a tranquil, luminous world of light and serenity.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"The first plane of existence is called the Celestial Plane. The spirits of the virtuous or the balanced rest there. They merge into the cosmic energy with time to find peace. It is the duty of a Reaper to make sure spirits end up on that plane unmolested."
[It changes again, the scene dipping to black to reveal a dark churning void with twisting figures and distant whispers.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"And this. is the Abyssal Depths. A place of chaos, where souls filled with corruption, unresolved anger, or grievous sins are drawn. It is a realm of endless unrest, where the most dangerous spirits linger. As reapers, you will often venture into the Depths, but beware-one wrong move there can cost you your very soul."
[The students listen intently, some exchanging nervous glances. Daiki next to Kyo swallows audibly.]
DAIKI
whispering to Kyo
"Uh… I'm built like a stick, but this is starting to sound like how my mom told me how I was made."
KYO
smiling slightly
"Relax. It's not like we're headed there tomorrow. right?"
[Professor Shinigami overhears and suddenly sets her gaze on Kyo with an icy stare.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
coldly
"You'll face the Abyss sooner than you think, Takahashi. Every reaper does."
[Kyo stiffens, the grin falling from his face.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
continuing
"But there is one more realm you need to understand: the space between the living world and the afterlife-the Veil."
[The image changes again, revealing a grayish, dead expanse of land where lost souls wander aimlessly.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"Most of your work will be within the Veil. That's where the souls who have not gone to rest remain. Fortunately, some of them accept the fact, but others. resist. These rogue spirits imbalance the world, and it's for you to contain them. That would be the first and foremost thing you are here for, as reapers."
[Professor Shinigami raises his hand, and the image darkens, taking on a more sinister tone. Dark shadows twist through the Veil, growing larger, more menacing.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"But there is a greater threat. one that transcends the realms. The Death Shadows."
[The air in the room grows heavy as the shadows in the image morph into terrifying shapes-ancient, dark entities with glowing eyes, radiating malevolence.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"The Death Shadows are ancient beings, born of a rebellion that happened hundreds of years ago. Souls and reapers alike tried to overthrow the laws of the afterlife, trying to remake it in their image. The creations born from that rebellion exist out of the natural order. They feed on fear, anger, and corruption, spreading chaos wherever they go."
[Kyo narrows his eyes as he watches the dark figures in the air. There is something all too familiar about them, something which makes his skin crawl.]
MEI
serious, focused
"So.our job is to fight these Death Shadows, too?"
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"Well you should know this, this isn't the first time I told everyone about this, I'm just repeating because it's a new student, anyways fighting them is one part of it. But defeating a Death Shadow is not like defeating a rogue spirit. They are far more powerful. far more dangerous."
[The professor lowers his hand and the images disappear. The room is silent, tense.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"Most reapers go their whole careers and never see a Death Shadow. But those of you who do."
pauses, his eyes locking on Kyo for a long time
"should prepare for a fight that could very well cost you more than your life."
[Kyo shifts uncomfortably in his chair. There's something ominous in the professor's tone, like he's speaking directly to him.]
DAIKI
whispering back to Kyo again
"Yeah, I didn't sign up for this shit."
KYO
whispering to himself
"Death Shadows, huh. Why do I get this feeling I'm gonna run into one sooner than I wanna?"
[Professor Shinigami turns and starts walking back and forth in slow steps in front of the class.]
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"As reapers, you are the keepers of the balance. Fail in your duties, and both the living world and the afterlife will fall into chaos. The Veil will shatter, the Abyss will spill over, and the Death Shadows will roam free, corrupting everything they touch."
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"Let me be clear-this is not a school for the faint of heart. You are not here simply to learn. You are here to face the greatest threats to existence itself. And trust me, the time will come when each of you will be tested."
Kyo lounges back in his chair, crossing his arms, regarding the professor with interest mingled with skepticism.
KYO
under his breath
"Guess we'll find out who's really up for the challenge, huh?"
[Mei glances at Kyo as she catches his comment, her eyes slitting into a determined sliver.
MEI
murmuring softly to herself
"I plan on being ready, no matter what comes."
[The tension lingers in the room as Professor Shinigami gives one final glance at the students before dismissing them.
PROFESSOR SHINIGAMI
"Class dismissed. But remember this. the next time you step onto the training field, you are preparing for something far greater than yourselves. Stay vigilant."
[The students rise and begin to file out of the room. Kyo, Mei, and Daiki linger for a moment.]
DAIKI
still looking uneasy
"So. when do you think we'll have to deal with all this Death Shadow things?"
[Kyo shrugs, his expression a mix of defiance and curiosity.]
KYO
"Whichever is destined, I am prepared. No choice, really."
[Mei, standing near, measures a look on Kyo with her gaze, then marches off.
MEI
"Hope you are."
Kyo watches her go, his now sober face a rare sight.
KYO
softly
"Hope. I do."
[End of chapter]