VEILBREAKERSEpisode 9: "Enter the Swordsman"
[LOCATION: Underground Tech Bunker – NIGHT. The alert klaxons stop. Silence returns. The tension thickens.]
Kael stands calmly by the console. The breach warning is still red-hot on the screen. But he doesn't flinch. Doesn't speak.
Jett (loading his pistol):"That trail wasn't accidental. Someone found us."
Kael (calm):"Let them try."
➔ BOOM. The outer door slams. Echoes.
Footsteps. Slow. Heavy. But… alone.
Jett (checking cams):"…Wait. It's not a strike team."
The screen glitches.
➔ The hallway feed shows a single figure. Tall. Tattered cloak. A sword slung across his back—worn, but deadly. Head down. Moving like a ghost with purpose.
Kael steps forward. The moment he sees the figure—his expression shifts. Just slightly. A flicker of something. Recognition.
Kael (low):"No way…"
[FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO]
A young Kael in a dusty street alley. Fighting off thugs. Bleeding. Nearly down.
Another boy—same age. Wild grin. Blades in hand. Fast, efficient.
Boy (grinning):"You always pick the wrong fights, Kael."
Kael (smirking):"Only the ones worth it."
[BACK TO PRESENT]
The door creaks open.
The swordsman steps in.
Still. Silent. His eyes lock with Kael's.
Man (gruff, calm):"…You're still alive."
Kael (smiling just slightly):"You took your time."
Jett looks between them, completely confused.
Jett:"Who the hell is this?"
Kael (to Jett):"Old friend. Dead to the world. Like us."
The man steps forward. Drops his hood.
His name: RAN.
A hardened swordsman. Scar over one eye. Aura controlled—but terrifying underneath. Zoro-style presence. Reserved. Sharp. Dangerous.
Ran (to Kael):"I followed the trail. Didn't think it was you 'til I saw the break in the Veil."(pauses)"You really broke it, huh?"
Kael (deadpan):"It broke first."
➔ Tension. Then silence.
Jett:"…So he's just joining us now?"
Ran shrugs, leaning his sword against the wall.
Ran:"Got nowhere else to be. And this world's about to burn."
Kael nods once. No words.
[LATER – TRAINING CHAMBER]
Ran watches Kael train. Silent. But interested.
Kael moves through speed drills. Precision. Raw speed. Flow like water—but harder.
Suddenly—
➔ His punch hits the target—but a ripple of energy bursts from his fist.
Ran's eyes widen.
Ran:"That wasn't just power…"
Kael (wiping sweat, calm):"It's new."
Jett (watching from the screen):"He's been unlocking weird stuff. Like… pressure fields. Pulse strikes. I swear he made a drone explode just by looking at it yesterday."
Ran narrows his eyes.
Ran:"That's not technique. That's… something else."
Kael (quiet):"It's called Dominion Will."
Ran:"…You're gonna have to show me that."
Kael (smirks):"If you survive it."
[NIGHT – OUTER WASTELANDS – SCOUT PATROL CAMP]
Elsewhere.
Two mercenaries on patrol. Cigarettes. Scanning the horizon.
Suddenly—a figure appears in front of them. Fast. Silent. One move. Blades drawn.
➔ ➔ SLASH.
Both fall. Not dead. Just paralyzed.
A woman steps from the shadows.
UNKNOWN GIRL. Long white coat. Piercings. Strange gloves. Eyes glow faintly violet.
She kneels near one of the fallen.
Girl:"Report back. He's alive. The Directive Candidate."
She vanishes into smoke.
[BACK TO THE BUNKER – NIGHT]
Kael meditates. Shirt off. Sweat glistening. A quiet hum fills the room.
Suddenly—
A strange hum pulses from within him. The walls shake slightly. A glow seeps from his veins. Just for a second.
Ran (watching, quietly):"You're changing."
Kael (eyes still closed):"Waking up."
To be continued...
NEXT EPISODE: "Ashes and Visitors"