After Ken left the buffet, he stood in the hotel garden, slowly exhaling the smoke from his cigarette as the morning sun filtered through the trees. He took a deep breath before exhaling again, closing his eyes for a moment.
Yoko: "Ken!"
Ken turned slightly to see Yoko hurrying towards him with hesitant steps. As she approached, she stopped, clasping her hands behind her back and looking at him cautiously. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but wasn't sure how.
Ken (coldly, exhaling smoke): "What is it?"
Yoko hesitated for a moment before speaking in a quiet voice.
Yoko: "I just wanted to ask… why did you leave like that? You seemed… upset."
Ken: "You're exaggerating. I wasn't upset. I just don't like pointless situations."
Yoko watched him silently before stepping closer and looking at his face. He was as cold as always, but… this wasn't the Ken she remembered from eight years ago.
Yoko (softly): "You've changed so much, Ken…"
Ken cast a brief glance at her but didn't respond. Instead, he turned his head back toward the sky.
Yoko: "When we were kids, you always smiled… You were mischievous, but you were kind too. But now, you…"
She trailed off, unable to find the right words.
Ken (calmly, without looking at her): "There's no point in talking about the past."
Yoko's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she then lowered her head in disappointment.
Ken (exhaling smoke, staring at the horizon): "If you have nothing else to say, you can go back inside."
Yoko hesitated for a moment before turning away slowly, leaving with a look of sadness on her face. Ken remained in place, tossing his cigarette to the ground and crushing it under his boot.
After everyone returned inside the hotel, they sat around the table. Akio was devouring a soufflé enthusiastically, while Ann stared at him in bewilderment. Ken, meanwhile, silently sipped his coffee. That was when Koto looked at Akio intently, as if she had just remembered something important.
Koto: "Akio, you have a big dream, don't you?"
Akio raised his head and looked at her before flashing an eager smile.
Akio: "Of course! I want to become the greatest Shogun!"
Koto (smiling as she nodded): "Then… have you heard of the Five Legendary Swords?"
Akio's eyes widened in shock, and he paused from eating for a moment. Even Ken raised an eyebrow slightly, as if the topic had piqued his interest.
Akio: "Legendary swords?! You mean the mythical weapons said to possess mysterious powers?!"
Koto: "Yes. These are not just myths… they are real. There are five legendary swords scattered across the continents, and it is said that whoever gathers them all will gain an invincible power."
Akio shot up excitedly, slamming his hands onto the table, while Ann looked at him in astonishment.
Akio: "That's amazing! Where can I find them?!"
Koto (smiling as she pulled out a small map): "Each sword is in a different location."
She took out a map of Valoria from her pocket.
Koto:
"The first sword: Sanguinis
Location: Darkova
Current wielder: Duchess Terrakula
Details: It is said that this sword possesses a dark power, absorbing the blood of its opponents and growing stronger with every drop it consumes."
"The second sword: Arcticrown
Location: Crystalia
Current wielder: A mysterious white-haired individual
Details: This sword is said to be capable of freezing entire oceans with a single touch."
"The third sword: Tatsukami
Location: Fujimura
Current wielder: Hidden in an ancient temple
Details: It is believed to contain a mysterious spirit and can only be wielded by the worthy."
"The fourth sword: Abyss
Location: Kaji Kingdom
Current wielder: Unknown
Details: Unknown."
"The fifth sword: Nigridos
Location: Eastern Valinor
Current wielder: Unknown
Details: Unknown."
As Koto finished speaking, a brief silence filled the air before Akio's excitement surged once more.
Akio (eyes gleaming with determination): "This is incredible! If I gather these swords, will I become the greatest Shogun?!"
Ann (placing her hands on her hips): "Wait a minute, this sounds extremely dangerous, especially if others are looking for them too."
Akio took a deep breath, then stood up with enthusiasm.
Akio: "Alright! Let's start with the first sword! We're heading to Darkova to take it from Duchess Terrakula!"
Ken raised an eyebrow as he observed Akio, as if evaluating his words.
Ken (mockingly): "You think it'll be that easy?"
Akio (determinedly): "Of course! If she's strong, I'll just become stronger and defeat her!"
Ann (sighing): "Akio… do you even think before speaking?"
But Akio wasn't paying attention. He was far too excited, and he declared with absolute resolve:
Akio: "If this is the path to becoming the Shogun, then I'll walk it to the end!"
Scene Transition: Darkova – The City of Eternal Darkness
Darkova was shrouded in perpetual twilight, where sunlight barely reached through the thick black clouds. The city was filled with ancient buildings, and the air was heavy with the scent of dampness and blood.
In the center of it all stood Terrakula's Castle, a massive gothic structure with towering black columns and crimson curtains draped over its grand windows.
Inside the grand throne room, Duchess Terrakula sat upon her throne of bones and precious metals, her short red hair glowing under the dim candlelight. She elegantly held a glass filled with dark crimson liquid, swirling it absentmindedly as she gazed at her three most loyal guards.
First was Akira, a dark-haired man with crimson eyes, standing beside her throne. He was a werewolf in human form, with wolf-like ears, appearing to be in his twenties.
Second was Nyoro, a mischievous-looking young man with spiky brown hair and sharp blue eyes. A human, aged 16, lounging on a luxurious chair, flipping a dagger between his fingers with clear boredom.
The third was Steve, a 17-year-old with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes, standing silently by the massive doors, his presence as still as a shadow.
Terrakula took a sip from her glass before raising an eyebrow slightly, speaking with an air of arrogant amusement.
Terrakula: "So… when will this dull charade end? Darkova has become so boring—no excitement, no thrill, just a bunch of pathetic humans scurrying around, thinking they can escape me."
Akira scoffed, turning his head to look at her.
Akira: "You have a point, my lady. After all, it's not every day that people live under a vampire duchess who delivers speeches about boredom while drinking their blood."
Terrakula (chuckling softly): "Oh, my dear Akira, it's not that simple. They die too quickly, from the smallest things. They don't even live long enough to amuse me! Humans are nothing but insects pretending they have a chance to survive!"
Nyoro leaned forward with a grin.
Nyoro: "How about we find some real entertainment? I'm tired of easy prey."
Terrakula (smirking): "You know, Nyoro, this is exactly why I keep you around. You understand me!"
Steve, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke in his calm, composed voice.
Steve: "Entertainment should remain controlled. We don't need trouble in the castle."
Terrakula gracefully stood from her throne and walked toward Steve, standing right in front of him, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
Terrakula (whispering playfully): "Oh, dear Steve, I do love your dull wisdom… but since when was chaos ever a bad thing? Aren't we here to prove that we are the strongest?"
She took a step back and turned toward the massive windows, staring at the blood-red moon.
Terrakula (dramatically raising her arms): "I want something new! I want destruction, chaos, a battle that makes me feel alive again!"
Nyoro grinned.
Nyoro: "Shall we create some 'fun' tonight?"
Terrakula (grinning dangerously): "Nyoro, darling… we don't create fun… we are the fun!"
Nyoro laughed as he leaned back in his chair, while Steve remained silent, seemingly unfazed by her words. Terrakula returned to her throne, sitting down once again before picking up her glass and taking another slow sip.
Terrakula: "My dear Akira, bring me a human child today!"
Akira (hesitantly): "B-but, my lady…"
Terrakula: "What's the matter? Are you defying me?!"
Akira (resignedly): "Understood, my lady."
Akira stood up after receiving the order, casting a sideways glance at Nyoro, who was clearly enjoying the situation. Meanwhile, Steve remained as quiet and composed as ever, observing them in silence.
Akira (muttering in frustration as he turned to leave the hall):
"This is annoying…"
But before he could leave completely, he heard Terrakula's voice again—this time quieter, yet carrying an eerie undertone that sent a strange chill through the room.
Terrakula (with a sly smile):
"Oh, Akira dear… make sure the child is… fresh."
Akira's steps faltered for a brief second, but he didn't turn back. Instead, he simply continued walking out of the room, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and indifference.
Nyoro, on the other hand, burst into laughter once again, tilting his chair back as he smacked his knee in amusement.
Nyoro (mockingly):
"Oh, my lady, don't you see? Akira seems to be losing his old enthusiasm! Maybe we should replace him with a new guard!"
Terrakula (whispering mischievously):
"Don't worry, Nyoro… Akira will never disappoint me… After all, I'm the one who saved his life!"
To be continued…