The students gather in the Academy's training yard as the early morning sun barely peeks over the horizon, casting long shadows. Professor Shinigami stands before them, his skeletal figure imposing as ever, surveying the crowd with his unreadable expression.
Professor Shinigami: (ominously) Today marks the beginning of your real training as reapers. No more practice. No more theory. You will be entering the Veil for your first mission.
The students freeze, tension rippling through the group. Daiki visibly pales, his hands trembling, while Kyo smirks, leaning back with a cocky grin. Sora remains composed, her gaze focused ahead.
Kyo: (grinning) Told you things were about to get interesting. Can't wait to see what freaky ghosts are waiting for us.
Yamamoto Daiki: (panicking) THIS IS BAD! SO BAD! I thought we'd have more time to prepare!! We're gonna die!
Suzuki Mei: (nonchalantly, crossing her arms) Relax. It's just another test. If you can't handle this, you don't belong here.
Professor Shinigami: (serious) The Veil has become unstable. Rogue spirits are slipping through, and something darker is stirring beneath the surface. Your task is simple: locate the disturbance, cleanse the spirits causing chaos, and return in one piece. Stick to your groups, and do not stray. The Veil is unforgiving to those who wander.
The gates behind him creak open, revealing a swirling mist of dark energy. The temperature drops, and a sense of foreboding fills the air. Nori stands at the back, quietly assessing the situation with narrowed eyes, already calculating outcomes.
Nori: (muttering to himself) The Veil's energy is more volatile than expected. We'll need to adjust our strategies... stick to narrow paths... avoid unnecessary risks...
He glances at Kyo, knowing his chaotic nature will likely throw off any plan he devises.
Kyo: (casually, cracking his knuckles) Plans are overrated. Let's just get in there and see what happens.
Hayashi Sora: (coldly) Less talking. We're wasting time.
Kyo: (grinning) I like you, your Straight to the point.
Professor Shinigami: (warning) One last warning—if you encounter a Death Shadow, retreat immediately. They are not spirits you are equipped to handle. Now, go. And try not to make a mess of it, fledglings.
With a wave of his staff, the mist thickens and swirls, separating the students into smaller groups. Kyo looks around, noticing that his friends aren't with him.
Kyo, Sora, and Nori
Kyo finds himself with Hayashi Sora, the calm strategist with sharp instincts, and Ishida Nori, the quiet, mysterious student who possesses a unique talent for illusion magic. The trio stands at the edge of the mist, preparing to enter the Veil.
Kyo: (annoyed) Great, i'm in a team full of introverts. Not that I'm complaining, but I thought we'd stick together with everyone.
Hayashi Sora: (coolly) Smaller groups are safer. Less likely to draw attention, and we can cover more ground. It's basic strategy.
Ishida Nori: (coldly) Focus. We're being watched.
Kyo: (rolling his eyes) Damn, I'm a dumbass in a group full of smartasses.
Mei, Daiki, and Ren
Mei, Daiki, and Kawasaki Ren are grouped together, making an odd trio. Daiki is still shaking, while Mei stays calm, and Ren looks ready to punch through any problem.
Yamamoto Daiki: (panicking) Why do I feel like we're being watched? ARE WE BEING WATCHED!!! HELP ME!!!
Suzuki Mei: (sighing) Focus, Daiki. Fear will get you killed.
Kawasaki Ren: (grinning, flexing his muscles) Don't worry about a thing! Anything that comes our way will be in pieces before you can blink.
Suzuki Mei: (flatly) Don't get overconfident. The Veil isn't something you can just smash your way through.
Kawasaki Ren: (laughing) We'll see about that.
Nori, Hana, and Kira
Nori and Hana are joined by a new face—Fujimura Kira, a quiet but intense student with an affinity for illusion magic. Nori charges ahead recklessly, while Hana tries to keep the team together.
Ishida Nori: (laughing wildly) Come on, Hana! Faster! We'll blast through whatever stands in our way!
Nakamura Hana: (worried) Nori, slow down! You're going to get us all killed if you keep rushing ahead.
Fujimura Kira: (calmly, her eyes focused ahead) The mist is playing tricks. Keep your focus, or you'll lose your way.
Nori stops for a moment, finally taking Kira's warning seriously. Her voice is soft but sharp, with an air of authority.
Ishida Nori: (grinning) You might be onto something, Kira. Still, chaos is my middle name! I'm serious.
Fujimura Kira: (coldly) Let's just make sure Nori's dumbass wont get ahead.
Kyo, Sora, and Nori's Perspective
The air is thick, heavy, and filled with whispers as Kyo, Nori, and Sora move deeper into the Veil. Shadows shift unnaturally, making it hard to tell what's real and what's an illusion. Nori keeps his eyes focused ahead, constantly scanning for threats.
Nori: (low, calculating) Don't trust what you see. The Veil distorts reality. Stick close and follow my lead.
Kyo: (rolling his eyes) I just wanna have fun.
Ishida Nori: (quietly) Focus. We're being watched.
The shadows seem to coil around them, and the eerie silence makes it clear they're not alone.
Mei, Daiki, and Ren's Perspective
As Mei, Daiki, and Ren move further in, the oppressive atmosphere only deepens. Daiki is still a bundle of nerves, while Ren strides confidently ahead, eager to fight anything in their path.
Yamamoto Daiki: (nervous) W-We should go back. This place is wrong! I don't like it!
Suzuki Mei: (stern) Stop panicking. The more you panic, the more attention you'll draw.
Kawasaki Ren: (grinning wider) Let them come. I'll smash through whatever comes our way.
Suddenly, shadows ahead morph into rogue spirits, their distorted forms twisting unnaturally as they approach the trio.
Kawasaki Ren: (grinning wider) Time to show 'em who's boss!
Nori, Hana, and Kira's Perspective
In another part of the Veil, Nori barrels forward, swinging his spirit gauntlets at anything that moves. Hana keeps a protective barrier around the group, and Kira stays close, her eyes scanning the mist for danger.
Nakamura Hana: (worried) Nori, slow down! You're going to get hurt if you don't pay attention!
Ishida Nori: (laughing) Relax, Hana! We've got this!
Fujimura Kira: (coldly) Something's coming. Stop fooling around, Nori.
Nori skids to a stop as a massive shadow emerges in front of them—a Death Shadow, its towering form dark and grotesque.
Ishida Nori: (eyes wide) Oh... okay, now this is interesting.
Nakamura Hana: (alarmed) That's a Death Shadow! We're not ready for this!
As each team fights their way through rogue spirits, the mist around them grows, and the ground trembles beneath their feet. Kyo, Mei, and the others realize that something much bigger is happening—a Death Shadow is coming for each team.
Suzuki Mei: (voice steady, sword at the ready) This isn't just another spirit... it's a warning. We need to regroup!
Nori: (urgently) Stay sharp! We can't let it isolate us!
Ishida Nori: (grinning wildly) Let it come! I'm ready for anything!
Nakamura Hana: (frantically) No, Nori!
To be continued..