The wind howled through the peaks of Mount Arashiro, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. Shadows danced across the vast courtyard of the Black Veil Academy, a sanctuary hidden from the world, where the art of stealth and survival had been honed for generations. Tonight, however, the air was heavy with something far darker than the coming storm.

Rai knelt in the courtyard, his hands steady as he carefully balanced a wooden pail of water. His father, Master Shin, stood before him, his expression as stoic as ever.

"Focus, Rai," his father commanded. "Discipline is the root of all strength. A distracted mind is a defeated one."

"Yes, Father," Rai replied, his voice quiet but firm. He was only fourteen, but his resolve burned brighter than any lantern in the academy.

The distant rumble of thunder echoed through the valley. Rai glanced up at the darkening sky, his thoughts momentarily drifting. He wondered if the storm would be fierce or pass quickly, but his musings were cut short by his father's sharp voice.

"Eyes here, Rai. A storm is nothing compared to the chaos of battle. Stay grounded."

Before Rai could respond, a chilling sound pierced the night—a low, guttural growl that seemed to reverberate through the very stone of the courtyard. Master Shin's hand shot to the hilt of his blade, his gaze snapping toward the main gates.

"What was that?" Rai whispered, his chest tightening.

Master Shin didn't answer. His eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a near whisper. "Go to the inner chambers. Now."

"But—"

"Now, Rai. This is not a discussion."

Rai hesitated for only a moment before obeying. Clutching the pail tightly, he turned and sprinted toward the inner halls of the academy. Behind him, the gates groaned, then burst open with a deafening crash.

Screams followed.

Rai froze mid-step, his heart pounding as the sounds of chaos erupted. Shouts of warning, the clash of steel, and the inhuman howls of something unnatural filled the air. Unable to resist, he turned back toward the courtyard, peering from the shadows of a nearby pillar.

Figures clad in dark, jagged armor stormed the academy grounds, their faces obscured by twisted masks. Among them were creatures Rai couldn't comprehend—hulking beasts with elongated limbs and glowing eyes. They moved like wolves but stood on two legs, their claws cutting through the academy's defenders like paper.

"What… what are they?" Rai whispered, his breath caught in his throat.

Master Shin was already in the center of the fray, his blade flashing in the dim light as he fought to defend his home. He moved like a shadow, striking down enemies with precision, but the attackers were relentless.

Rai's fists clenched. He wanted to help, to fight, but his father's voice echoed in his mind: Stay grounded. Stay alive.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the smoke and chaos—a man cloaked in crimson armor, his presence commanding. His face was hidden behind a mask resembling a snarling beast, but his voice was cold and sharp.

"Master Shin," the man said, his tone almost mocking. "I had hoped for more resistance. The Black Veil has grown soft."

Master Shin's eyes narrowed. "Kael Drakos. I should have known."

Kael laughed, the sound hollow and menacing. "Tonight, the legacy of your precious academy ends. You should be honored to witness it."

The two warriors clashed, their blades colliding with a force that shook the ground. Sparks flew as their strikes grew more vicious, but Kael was relentless, his movements precise and unyielding.

Rai could barely breathe as he watched the battle unfold. He had seen his father fight before, but never like this. Every strike was desperate, every movement edged with the knowledge that defeat meant death.

"Father…" Rai whispered, his hands trembling.

Kael's blade found its mark, cutting deep into Master Shin's side. The older man staggered but refused to fall, his grip on his weapon unwavering.

"You think… you can destroy what we've built?" Master Shin spat, his voice filled with defiance.

Kael tilted his head. "Not think. Know."

With a final, brutal strike, Kael drove his blade through Master Shin's chest.

"No!" Rai's scream tore through the night, but it was drowned out by the roar of thunder.

Kael turned his gaze toward the sound, but Rai was already running. Tears streamed down his face as he fled into the academy's labyrinthine halls, his father's lifeless form burned into his mind.

The flames of destruction consumed the Black Veil Academy, their glow reflected in Rai's tear-filled eyes. He didn't stop running until his legs gave out, collapsing in a hidden alcove deep within the mountainside.

---

The Beginning of Shadows

The storm raged on as Rai sat alone, his body wracked with sobs. His home, his family, everything he had ever known was gone. All that remained was the memory of his father's final stand and the name of the man who had taken it all away: Kael Drakos.

Rai clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms until they drew blood. He didn't know how, but he swore he would make Kael pay.

The rain continued to fall, washing away the blood and ash that stained the earth. As the storm began to subside, so too did Rai's tears.

In their place, something colder took root—a determination forged in fire and loss.

The boy who knelt in the shadows that night would not remain a boy for long.