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⭐ EPISODE 5 — "THE FIRST STEP TOWARD STRENGTH" (Rewritten, Deep & Emotional)
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SCENE 1 — The Shrine After Midnight
Aryex stays sitting near the dim shrine lantern long after the old lady's footsteps fade.
The flame dances softly, but his heart feels loud.
Every breath feels heavier.
Every thought sharper.
Raven's harsh voice still echoes in his mind:
"You are not ready."
"Control yourself, or you will destroy everything."
But now…
those words don't feel like insults.
They feel like fear.
Fear Raven holds for him.
Aryex stands, slowly.
His fists tighten — not with anger, but with purpose.
Aryex (whispers):
"I'll show him…
I'm someone worth believing in."
The lantern glows brighter for a moment
as if blessing his decision.
Cut to black.
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SCENE 2 — Before Sunrise
Cold mist wraps around the forest.
The world is silent.
Except for one sound.
SHHH—SHHH—SHHH
A blade slices the air sharply.
Raven stands alone in the clearing, body steady, movements flawless —
like he's fighting ghosts he can't escape.
His breath is calm, but his eyes…
his eyes burn with old pain.
Aryex watches from behind a tree.
For the first time, he realizes:
Raven isn't training to become stronger.
He's training because he's afraid to stop.
If he stops…
the memories might catch him.
Aryex gathers courage and steps into the clearing.
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SCENE 3 — Confrontation
Raven turns, blade pointed at Aryex instantly.
His movements are too fast, too sharp — reflex born from trauma.
But when he sees Aryex's eyes… he lowers the sword.
Raven:
"You're early."
His voice is calm, cold, unreadable.
But Aryex hears something underneath it.
Worry.
Aryex:
"I want to train again."
Raven doesn't answer.
Aryex continues, voice trembling with emotion:
Aryex:
"Not because I want power.
Because I want to stand with you.
Not behind you…
not under you…
but with you."
A tiny flicker crosses Raven's eyes —
pain?
relief?
fear?
He turns away so Aryex can't see his expression.
Raven:
"…If you stay on this path…
you might break."
Aryex steps forward.
Aryex:
"Then break me.
And make me stronger."
Raven closes his eyes.
Only for a moment.
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SCENE 4 — The Brutal Test
Without warning, Raven throws a wooden staff at Aryex.
THUD.
Before Aryex can grab it properly—
CRACK!
Raven attacks with full force.
Aryex blocks, but the impact numbs his arms.
Raven moves like a storm —
controlled, deadly, emotion buried deep.
Every strike feels like punishment.
Not to Aryex…
but to himself.
Raven:
"You think determination is enough?"
SMASH!
"You think heart will save you?"
CRACK!
"You think caring makes you strong?"
SMASH!
"It makes you VULNERABLE!"
The words hit Aryex harder than the strikes.
Aryex falls to one knee.
Blood drips from his palms where the staff splintered.
His chest is shaking.
Breathing ragged.
Vision blurry.
He remembers the old lady's voice:
"He pushes hardest the ones he wants to protect."
Aryex looks up —
through pain, through tears, through exhaustion.
And whispers:
Aryex:
"Then…
I'll be someone worth protecting."
He rises again, trembling but unbroken.
For the first time…
Raven steps back.
His eyes widen a fraction —
the smallest sign of pride, shock, fear.
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SCENE 5 — Emotional Clash
Raven drops his sword.
Stares at Aryex intensely.
Raven:
"When you fight…
are you trying to win?
Or trying not to lose?"
Aryex hesitates.
His voice cracks.
Aryex:
"…Trying not to lose."
Raven walks closer, slowly.
His steps heavy, as if each one crushes a memory beneath it.
Raven:
"That was me once.
I fought to avoid breaking.
But I broke anyway."
Aryex sees something he never saw before—
A shadow behind Raven's eyes.
Loneliness so deep it feels endless.
Raven:
"If you want to walk beside me…
you need a heart that doesn't crumble under fear."
Aryex takes a deep breath.
Aryex:
"Then teach me how to do that."
Raven freezes.
No one had ever asked him that.
Everyone always wanted his strength…
his power…
never his pain.
He looks away quickly.
But Aryex catches it —
that one second of vulnerability.
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SCENE 6 — Acceptance
Raven turns his back, voice softer than ever before:
Raven:
"Training begins tomorrow.
At dawn.
Be prepared to suffer."
Aryex smiles —
a real, grateful smile.
Aryex:
"I will."
For the first time…
Raven doesn't walk away immediately.
He stands there, watching the sunrise beside Aryex —
silently acknowledging the bond neither of them knows how to express.
---
SCENE 7 — The Old Lady's Warning
Hidden among the trees, the old lady watches with calm, sad eyes.
The morning light touches her face.
Old Lady (whispers):
"Good…
Raven has finally allowed someone into his darkness."
She closes her eyes.
Her voice deepens with worry:
"But when two fates connect…
the world always asks for a price."
A raven feather falls at her feet.
Black.
Silent.
Ominous.