EXT. PROVINCE OF CALORIA - RIVERBANK NEAR RAVENHURST - NIGHT
Shin slowly awakens, groggy, the cool night air hitting his face. He blinks against the dim light, realizing he's tied to a tree. The mysterious figure, Hiro Sugai, stands over him, slapping his face lightly.
SUGAI
(calmly)
Hey, wake up, buddy.
SHIN
(groggy, squinting)
Huh?
Shin's eyes snap open as he fully comprehends his predicament. He struggles against the ropes, glaring at Hiro.
SHIN
(confused)
What the...?
SUGAI
(grinning)
See? Told you, you could trust me.
Shin tugs at the ropes, his frustration evident.
SHIN
(demanding)
What do you want?
SUGAI
(with a friendly tone)
Maybe it's time we cut to the chase. I'm Hiro Sugai, and I want you to join the Frostbite Agency.
Shin's eyes narrow, and he stops struggling for a moment. His expression hardens.
SHIN
(disbelieving)
As in become a Guardian? You're kidding. I would never betray my clan for that bullshit.
Hiro's grin widens, and he leans in closer, his tone shifting.
SUGAI
(calmly, with a touch of insight)*
You probably think I don't know who you are... Shin Celestino.
Shin's eyes narrow further, suspicion growing.
SHIN
(demanding)
What do you mean?
SUGAI
(confidently)
I've been watching you for a while now. Saw you a week ago, ready to kill that bandit in the capital. But you hesitated. Same thing at the bar today—you had that guy on his knees, sword at his neck... But three minutes passed before he stood up and threw that kid at you.
Shin's face reddens with anger as he grits his teeth.
SHIN
(furious)
What's your damn point?
Hiro leans back casually, his smile unshaken.
SUGAI
(calmly, with an edge)
You can't kill, can you?
Shin tenses, trying to mask his reaction, his jaw tightening.
SHIN
(forcefully)
How long have you been watching me?
Hiro shakes his head, still smiling.
SUGAI
(casually)
Long enough. Afterward, I tracked down your clan. I could've just killed everyone and left. After all, they're criminals, right? But I didn't come for that. I asked them how many people you've killed. They said nine.
Shin's shoulders slump, and he looks down, his resolve wavering.
SUGAI
(calmly)
Honestly, kid, I thought it'd be higher with that cold expression of yours.
SHIN
(angrily)
SHUT UP!
Hiro doesn't flinch, his demeanor still calm.
SUGAI
(unmoved)
Hey, I didn't say it was a bad thing. That's why I want you to join the agency. Protecting people is easier than killing them.
Shin shakes his head vehemently, his face set in defiance.
SHIN
(determined)
No.
SUGAI
(blinking, surprised)
Huh?
SHIN
(insistently)
I won't join. Now let me go.
Hiro chuckles, leaning against the tree beside Shin, his expression thoughtful.
SUGAI
(casually)
Your master already agreed.
SHIN
(stunned)
What?
Hiro's tone becomes more serious, his smile fading slightly.
SUGAI
(earnestly)
Listen, kid, your talent wasn't made for assassination. It was made to save people... like your sister.
Shin's face changes to one of shock, his eyes wide.
SHIN
(voice shaking, desperate)
What... what do you know about my sister?
SUGAI
(calmly)
Your sister was abducted. Your mother was killed.
SHIN
(voice trembling, angry)
And how the hell do you know if she's still alive or not? Are Guardians some kind of wizards?
Hiro shakes his head, a small smile on his lips.
SUGAI
(calmly, reassuringly)
Guardians aren't just protectors anymore. We investigate hybrids and where they come from. If they wanted her dead, they would've done it on the spot. Think about it.
Shin's face is a mix of confusion and contemplation, the weight of Hiro's words sinking in.
SUGAI
(firmly)
So, what do you say? You in?
A long, heavy silence stretches between them. Finally, Shin sighs, a mix of resignation and determination in his expression.
SHIN
(reluctantly, with acceptance)
Fine. I'll do it.
---
EXT. RAVENHURST - UMBRONITE CLAN RESIDENCE - MORNING
Shin walks through the stone corridors of the clan residence, his mind still processing the night's events. The air is cool and the morning light filters through the windows. Ked, a fellow clan member, approaches him, concern etched on his face.
KED
(worried, with a furrowed brow)
Hey, Shin. You okay? I heard about the meeting.
SHIN
(distantly, nodding)
Yeah, I'm fine. Where's Master?
KED
(gesturing)
Outside, by the pond.
Shin nods and heads toward the pond, his footsteps echoing in the quiet corridors. MASTER XANTHUS is there, feeding the fish, his back to Shin. Shin approaches quietly, his expression a mix of determination and melancholy.
SHIN
(softly)
Master.
Xanthus doesn't turn around immediately, his voice calm and measured.
XANTHUS
(without turning, with a hint of expectation)
Shin. I've been expecting you. We need to talk.
SHIN
(resolutely)
I already know everything. Just wanted to clarify.
Xanthus turns to face him, his expression a mix of sadness and acceptance.
XANTHUS
(with a sad smile)
So, you met the Guardian.
SHIN
(nodding, apologetic)
Yes. Sorry, Master, but I don't think I'll return.
Xanthus stops feeding the fish and stands fully, his gaze steady and full of regret.
XANTHUS
(seriously)
Honestly, I was planning on letting you go a long time ago. There's no place for you here, Shin. You don't deserve this bloodbath. I'm sorry for wasting nine years of your life.
SHIN
(with a faint smile, appreciative)*
It's okay, Master. Sorry you almost got killed because of me.
XANTHUS
(grinning faintly)
Don't apologize. You know me—I won't go down without a fight.
Shin smiles faintly, his expression softening.
SHIN
(smirking)
Fair enough.
Xanthus looks at Shin with a mixture of pride and regret.
XANTHUS
(softly)
So, you're leaving now?
SHIN
(nodding, determined)
Yeah. Just need to grab my bag. Sugai said one of his students will meet me at the gate.
XANTHUS
(smiling slightly)
Be nice to them, will you?
SHIN
(smirking)
Sure, why not?
Shin turns to leave, but Xanthus calls after him, his voice warm.
XANTHUS
(encouragingly)
Hey, boy!
Shin stops and looks back, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
XANTHUS
(with a sincere tone)
Good luck.
SHIN
(gratefully)
Thanks, Master.
---
EXT. RAVENHURST GATES - EVENING
Shin approaches the gates of Ravenhurst, a small bag slung over his shoulder. The sky is painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun sets. Waiting for him is a girl dressed in a blue kimono adorned with the white emblem of the Frostbite Agency. She has white hair and piercing blue eyes, her smile warm and welcoming.
IRENE MORRIGAN
(cheerfully, extending her hand)
You must be Shin, right?
Shin glances at her hand, then back at her, his expression guarded.
SHIN
(skeptical)
You're the Guardian waiting for me?
IRENE
That's right. I'm Irene Morrigan. Nice to meet you.
Shin doesn't shake her hand, eyeing her warily.
SHIN
Morrigan, huh? That name sounds familiar.
IRENE
(chuckling)
I'll take that as a compliment.
SHIN
It wasn't.
IRENE
(mock hurt)
Ouch. Mean.
They start walking through the forest, leaving Ravenhurst behind. As they walk, Shin speaks up.
SHIN
So, this Frostbite Agency... Is it the only one?
IRENE
No, there are others. The Astral Agency protects Arkonia, Phoenix Agency for Luminaria, Moonlit Agency for Valtoria, and Lynx Agency for Nefaria. Each has five or more students, and there's also the Master Class phase. That's where the best students get promoted to work independently or replace mentors.
SHIN
So, mentors are in the Master Class?
IRENE
Exactly. They just started dividing the Guardians into classes a few weeks ago.
SHIN
Hmm.
A growl echoes from the trees. Shin and Irene both stop, their senses heightened.
IRENE
Did you hear that?
SHIN
Yeah. Probably just a dog.
Another growl, louder this time, comes from the shadows. Irene steps in front of Shin.
IRENE
Stay back.
A hybrid leaps out of the trees, its skin twisted and wooden. It snarls, eyes glowing with a dangerous light.
SHIN
What the hell? A hybrid?
IRENE
It fused with the trees in this forest. I'll handle this.She steps forward, her hands glowing with a purple aura.
IRENE
(shouting)
APEX, STORM CALLER
She raised her hand, summoning a fierce storm as dark clouds gathered overhead. With a crack of thunder, a bolt of lightning shot down, striking the Hybrid with immense force. The impact sent the creature hurtling through the air, crashing violently into the ground.
Shin watched, realizing for the first time the true power of a Guardian.
TO BE CONTINUED
--
[Introducing the characters]
Name: HIRO SUGAI
Age: 30 years old
Appearance: With jet-black hair and sharp brown eyes, Hiro cuts a striking figure in his signature blue Frostbite Agency uniform. His well-built physique and composed demeanor exude a quiet strength.
Personality: Calm and approachable, Hiro embodies a steady, reassuring presence. Beneath his friendly exterior lies a fierce loyalty to those he cares about, and he'll go to great lengths to protect them. Despite his gentle nature, he harbors a deep resolve, making him both a trusted ally and a formidable opponent.