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Chapter 3 - Act 3

NOON – ARENA TRIALS – DAY 3

The arena is packed. The duels grow more intense. The crowd roars as one match ends and another begins.

Shin-Ri steps onto the platform—silent, focused. His blade gleams under the sun. Across from him stands a boy his age, tall, calm, with clean footwork and sharp eyes.

ANNOUNCER:

Next match—Shin-Ri the Swordsboy... versus Riku of Eastvale!

Riku draws his blade in one fluid motion. His stance is humble—but perfect.

RIKU:

I've been watching you, too.

SHIN-RI:

Then you know not to underestimate me.

RIKU:

Exactly why I won't.

DUEL – MOMENTS LATER

They clash. Blade to blade. Steel sings through the air.

Shin-Ri dodges, counters—fast, calculated. But Riku doesn't falter. He reads each move like a mirror.

Step. Strike. Parry.

SHIN-RI (V.O.):

He's... matching me?

No—he's studied me.

Riku spins low and sweeps Shin-Ri's leg. Shin-Ri staggers. One last strike—Riku's blade grazes his shoulder, stopping just short of skin.

Shin-Ri drops to one knee. Silence.

ANNOUNCER:

Winner—Riku of Eastvale!

AFTER THE MATCH – HEALING TENT

Shin-Ri sits quietly, wrapping his shoulder. He stares at the bandage like it's heavier than steel.

Riku enters with two cold drinks. He sets one beside him.

RIKU:

That was a good fight.

You're sharper than anyone here. Just... predictable.

SHIN-RI:

You learned my movements.

RIKU:

You'd have done the same.

You will, next time.

Shin-Ri looks at him, surprised. Then nods.

SHIN-RI:

Next time... I'll adapt faster.

RIKU:

Then next time... I'll be ready for that too.

They clink their cups. Quiet respect grows.

EVENING – MOUNTAIN TRAINING GROUNDS

Shin-Ri and Riku train under the fading sun. Gojiro watches from a stump, stroking his beard.

GOJIRO:

So... the blade that lost has found a mirror.

RIKU:

You must be the great Gojiro.

GOJIRO:

"Great" is an overstatement.

But I see the difference in your duel.

You fight with vision.

SHIN-RI:

I want that vision.

The kind that sees more than just strikes.

Gojiro stands, picks up a long wooden stick, and draws a symbol in the dirt—two crossing swords, with an eye above them.

GOJIRO:

Strategy isn't about power.

It's about patterns. Rhythm. Weakness.

You two could learn much... from each other.

He tosses them both weighted bamboo swords.

GOJIRO:

Let's see if you can fight...

without fighting like yourselves.

The boys glance at each other. Then take stance—new styles, new minds.

NIGHT – CLIFFSIDE

Shin-Ri and Riku sit quietly, overlooking the distant Sword Towers. Fireflies blink around them. The stars above are clear.

RIKU:

Do you ever think about quitting?

SHIN-RI:

No.

Even when I fall... I'm still climbing.

RIKU:

What are you climbing toward?

Shin-Ri closes his eyes. Sees a flash of the faceless shadow. His hand grips the ground.

SHIN-RI:

Justice.

Or revenge.

Maybe both.

RIKU:

Then I'll help you climb.

Until I have to stop you myself.

They both smile faintly.

SHIN-RI (V.O.):

That day, I learned something harder than winning—

...how to lose without breaking.

To bend... without shattering.

To walk beside someone...

without forgetting why I fight alone.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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