Ken, Akio, and Viko entered the depths of the Black Ghost Cave. The cave was silent, except for the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. It was lit by glowing crystals scattered all around, giving it a stunning and magical beauty.
Akio (excited): "Oh wow! Look at this place! It's like a palace made of gems! I can't believe people are afraid to come here!"
While Akio approached one of the crystals and touched it with curiosity, Ken walked steadily, staying alert for any danger. He looked at Viko, who seemed nervous but curious.
Ken (serious tone): "Viko, what is this treasure you talked about? Why did you and your sister want to get it?"
Viko stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and said:
Viko: "It's not just a treasure… It's a very old scroll written by my ninja ancestors hundreds of years ago. It's called the Forbidden Ninja Scroll. They say it holds secret techniques and incredible power. My sister Ann and I wanted it to protect our village… and prove we could do something big."
Akio stopped looking at the crystals and turned to Viko with excitement.
Akio: "Secret techniques and amazing power? That's awesome! Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!"
Ken (sharply to Akio): "This isn't a game, Akio. If that scroll has such power, of course the place is full of danger. This is serious."
As the three went deeper into the cave, the paths grew narrower, and the atmosphere became scarier. Strange sounds echoed from the darkness.
Viko (nervous): "Be careful… these could be the spirits guarding the scroll. I heard anyone who gets close is attacked immediately."
Akio (smiling confidently): "Spirits? I'm not scared of ghosts. Just let me handle them!"
Ken (with a bit of sarcasm): "Don't forget, we're here to rescue Viko's sister, not to show off your bravery."
As they talked, they all suddenly froze when a loud scream came from deep inside the cave. It sounded like someone crying for help.
Akio (worried): "Could that be Ann?!"
Viko: "I'm not sure… but it's really close!"
They exchanged quick glances, then ran toward the voice.
Ken (quietly): "Stop."
They halted at a fork in the path. The air was colder there. Ken pointed to a small rocky corner by the cave wall.
Ken: "Leave your bags here. No use carrying extra weight if we're heading into a fight."
Akio (dropping his bag): "Finally! I was about to throw it at the first ghost I saw."
Viko set his bag down quietly, then stepped back and began wrapping his wrists in dark cloth, preparing to fight.
Akio (pulling out his sword): "Ah, I missed this feeling… My sword is ready for action."
Ken quietly drew his flaming sword. Viko took out his short knives from his belt and spun them between his fingers.
Viko: "I'm ready."
Ken (looking at them): "Stay focused. We don't know what we're dealing with."
They nodded at each other and stepped into one of the dark tunnels… not knowing the nightmare that awaited them. As they continued, they noticed old carvings on the cave walls—ancient drawings telling the story of a battle between ninja and strange spirits.
Akio (pointing): "Looks like there's history here."
Viko (looking at the drawings): "These are my ancestors' carvings. They believed the spirits were eternal guardians of the scroll. I didn't think they were real… until now."
Suddenly, a bright light flashed from deeper inside, making them stop.
Ken (closing his eyes briefly): "Get ready… Something big is coming."
Out of nowhere, a strange gray spirit appeared. It looked like a shadow, with no face or body, but it moved like a living being.
Akio (bravely): "Who are you?! Are you the Black Ghost?!"
Spirit: "No, I'm not the Black Ghost. But tell me, why are you here? Did you come to die?"
Akio (shouting): "We came to save Viko's sister! Don't tell me you killed her!!"
Spirit: "Ah… so you know that girl. She's very stubborn and strong. She's still running and hiding."
Viko (hopeful): "So you mean… my sister is still alive?!"
Spirit: "Yes. Everyone else who entered this cave died within two hours. But that girl… she's survived for more than two days. That got my attention."
Viko: "Give my sister back!"
Spirit (laughing): "Don't worry… we'll reunite you soon—just not in this world!"
Suddenly, the spirit began to take shape. The gray light gathered and thickened into a giant humanoid figure. Its head was long and faceless. Its body was covered in dark armor and spinning saw blades, grinding with a sharp metal sound.
Ken (drawing his sword): "Now I understand why no one came out of here alive."
The spirit roared and leaped at them. Akio was the first to strike—he jumped, his sword glowing with lightning. He aimed for the neck, but a spinning saw blade shot out from the monster's neck and blocked the blow with a loud clash! Ken attacked from the side, but another saw from the shoulder blocked his kick. Viko aimed his punches carefully, but the monster absorbed them without flinching.
Saw blades popped out from everywhere—arms, chest, back, even knees. It was like a killing machine. Every time they got close, the spinning blades kept them away.
Viko (panting): "Every time we hit it, something new comes out! Its body is fully protected!"
Ken (shouting as he attacked): "Damn it!"
Akio (frustrated): "It's no use! We can't hurt it!"
Ken jumped toward the creature's head, but just as he got close, its massive jaws snapped shut on him and bit hard. A cry of pain rang out, and blood sprayed in the air.
Akio (yelling): "KEN!!!"
Viko froze in shock and screamed. But Akio didn't run. He trembled—then roared like something inside him snapped—and charged at the beast in rage. Lightning surrounded his body, and his sword sparked with energy. He stabbed the monster's hand—this time the saws didn't activate, and the armor cracked. The monster screamed for the first time, as if it had never felt pain before.
Akio kept slashing—again and again. Each strike charged with more electricity. Finally, the monster opened its jaws and dropped Ken. Ken fell to the ground, wounded, bleeding badly from his arm. Akio rushed to his side and knelt beside him.
Akio (eyes filled with tears): "Ken… are you okay?!"
Ken (weak voice): "You… weren't as useless as I thought…"
Viko (shouting): "We need to get you out now!"
Ken slowly stood up despite his pain.
Ken (determined): "I won't leave… not before we find the girl."
Behind them, the monster staggered and fell to its knees in pain. Ken was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like he'd been fighting for ten hours. Sweat mixed with blood dripped from his forehead. His face was pale, but his eyes were still burning with determination.
Viko stood frozen, his wide eyes staring at Ken's wounds, then his legs… then his gray eyes.
Viko (in awe): "How… how are you standing? You're bleeding all over!"
Akio (still holding Ken): "I swear… you're not human…"
Ken (whispering between breaths): "I'll stand… as long as there's something left to do… These are just scratches."
Ken almost collapsed, but managed to steady himself. He took a deep breath and looked at the monster still writhing after Akio's lightning strikes.
Viko (soft voice, dazed): "But you were inside its jaws… I saw you bleed more than anyone I've ever seen…"
Ken (with a dead look): "I've seen death many times, Viko… but it's never dared to take me."
Viko (grateful): "Thank you for still standing… thank you for not giving up."
Ken (nodding slightly): "Thank Akio… he's the reason I'm breathing."
Akio (raising his arms proudly): "Oh, so you admit I saved your life!"
Ken (calmly): "Annoyingly… yes."
The three turned to look at the weakened monster again. It was still shaking from the last attack.
Ken: "It won't stay like that for long… We have to finish this."
To be continued…