(Ten Years ago)
The ruins of the ancient temple stood in desolation, their silence broken only by the faint whispers of the wind slipping through cracks and holes in the stone walls. Sunlight filtered through narrow gaps, casting eerie beams that illuminated the dust-laden air. Takeshi moved cautiously across the uneven ground, his hand hovering near the hilt of his blade, every step calculated.
"I know you're there," he called out sharply, his voice reverberating in the stillness. "Stop hiding and show yourself!"
A shadow stirred at the edge of his vision, and a figure emerged from the gloom. Cloaked in a flowing robe, the man's face was obscured by a hood so large it seemed to swallow the light. Despite his unsettling presence, his movements were slow, deliberate, and oddly calm.
"I'm not here to attack you," the man said, his voice smooth and even, carrying a hypnotic quality as he stepped closer. "I have the answers you've been searching for."
Takeshi tensed, his sharp eyes scanning the stranger for any signs of danger. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
The figure halted mid-step, tilting his head slightly as a faint smile played across his shadowed lips. "Who I am isn't important. Not yet. What matters is that we find the seven Bastard Sons… before it's too late."
The cryptic words hung in the air, their weight striking Takeshi like a physical blow. His grip on his blade loosened, curiosity wrestling with his instincts. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "I'm listening."
The stranger turned, sitting atop a broken pillar. The tattered edges of his robe brushed the ancient stone as he gazed down at Takeshi. "The Sons of Trinity are hunting them," he said, his voice dark and foreboding. "If they succeed…"
He paused, his tone growing heavier, his gaze drifting into the shadows. "They will unlock a seal that has kept the Trinity contained for over a thousand years."
In one fluid motion, he leapt down from the pillar, landing gracefully before Takeshi. The movement was unnaturally smooth, and Takeshi instinctively stepped back.
"If that seal is broken," the man continued, his voice dropping to a grave whisper, "the universe as we know it will fall into chaos."
Takeshi's mind reeled, the magnitude of the revelation overwhelming him. "So… this is bigger than…" He shook his head, his voice faltering. "Wait! Who are you really?"
The man leaned closer, his presence suffocating, his voice barely above a whisper. "If you wish to know who I am… come where the stars dance, and the rivers flow upward."
Before Takeshi could respond, the man vanished, leaving behind only the faint echo of his words. Takeshi stood frozen, his heart pounding as his mind raced with questions, the temple falling silent once more.
(Present Day – Captain Lech Preparing for the Journey)
Morning light gleamed off Captain Lech's blade as he inspected it meticulously, the sharp edge glinting with lethal precision. His expression was resolute as he addressed his team, their weapons strapped and their faces grim.
"Everyone, assemble!" Lech commanded, his voice firm yet steady. "You all know the dangers ahead. All I ask is that you trust each other. We're walking into hell, but we'll do it together. Understood?"
The warriors nodded in unison, their determination overshadowing the flicker of doubt in their eyes.
Neal came rushing toward the group, his breath labored, his words tumbling out in a hurried jumble. "The visitors… they're asking if they can join us!"
Lech's eyes narrowed, his suspicion flaring as he remembered their mysterious arrival.
(Earlier in Chief Soto's Chambers)
Chief Soto sat behind a sturdy wooden desk, his expression calm but watchful. Across from him stood a robed figure, his presence commanding yet shrouded in mystery. The air in the room felt heavy, laden with an ominous energy.
"May I ask who you are?" Soto inquired, his tone polite yet firm.
The figure inclined his head slightly in a gesture of respect. "I come in peace, great Chief of the East. My purpose is simple. I ask that you allow the three travelers to join your warriors in rescuing your men."
Captain Lech, standing to Soto's right, stepped forward, his voice sharp and distrustful. "Why would we take them? They're untrained! They couldn't kill a rabbit if their lives depended on it!"
Soto raised a hand, silencing Lech. He turned back to the mysterious man, his tone steady but probing. "Why do you insist they join us?"
The man's gaze shifted toward the window, his voice soft yet profound. "Even in total darkness, there is light. They are special. They are what Misty has been searching for."
The mention of Misty caused Soto to stiffen, his eyes narrowing. "How do you know Misty?" he asked, leaning forward.
The man turned slowly, his presence growing heavier, his voice taking on an almost oppressive tone. "I am a mystery," he said with a faint smile.
Before Soto could press further, the man disappeared, leaving only a faint ripple in the air where he had stood.
(Present – The Team Departs)
The warriors began their march, their steps heavy with the weight of their mission. Weapons gleamed under the morning sun as they moved in disciplined silence. From a distant hill, the mysterious man watched them, his robes billowing in the wind.
His gaze was fixed on the group as they disappeared into the horizon, heading toward Degard and the dangers that awaited them.
"The wheels of destiny have begun to turn," he murmured to himself, his voice quiet yet resolute. "May the heavens guide them."
With that, he turned and faded into the shadows, leaving the warriors to their perilous journey.