潜む危険
The night in the small village was eerily quiet, with only the sound of the wind and rustling leaves breaking the stillness. Inside their modest home, Ryu Haze sat near the fireplace with his mother and father. His mother gently combed his hair while his father recounted old tales of heroes battling evil forces.
Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked in the shadows. On a hill overlooking the village, one of King Shin’s soldiers, Draven, stood silently. His sharp eyes fixated on Ryu’s house. His massive frame was clad in black armor that gleamed under the pale moonlight. In his hand, he held a large spear radiating a dark aura.
“So, this is the child they claim to be the heir of Haze,” Draven muttered. “King Shin doesn’t want to take any chances. I must eliminate him before he becomes a threat.”
Draven began to move, creeping silently toward the village. The villagers remained oblivious to his presence; even the dogs, usually vigilant, stayed quiet, cowed by his menacing aura.
Inside the house, Ryu suddenly felt something strange. A heavy sensation pressed on his chest, as though an enormous force was drawing near. He glanced toward the window but saw only darkness.
“Toru... what’s happening?” he whispered to himself.
Toru’s voice echoed in his mind, more alert than usual. “Danger is approaching. Ryu, you must be ready.”
Ryu looked at his parents, who appeared relaxed and unaware. He didn’t want to alarm them, but the ominous feeling grew stronger.
Draven finally reached the front of Ryu’s house. Raising his spear, he infused its tip with dark energy. With a single strike, he brought the weapon down, causing a massive explosion that shook the entire village awake.
The blast tore through part of Ryu’s house, leaving a gaping hole in its wall. His parents panicked, shielding Ryu behind them. From the rising dust, Draven emerged, his imposing figure casting a long shadow.
“I’ve been sent to end your life, boy,” Draven said in a deep, menacing voice, pointing his spear at Ryu.
Ryu’s father stepped forward, his smaller frame dwarfed by Draven’s. “If you want to hurt my son, you’ll have to get through me first!”
Draven smirked mockingly. “A mere human? You think you can stop me?”
He swung his spear toward Ryu’s father, but before it could strike, something extraordinary happened.
A brilliant blue light burst forth from Ryu’s body, forcing Draven to retreat. Toru’s voice echoed, not only in Ryu’s mind but throughout the area.
“Draven, stand down. This child is the heir to the Haze bloodline, and I will not let you harm him.”
Draven staggered back, momentarily shocked, but quickly regained his composure. “So, Toru Haze, you’re still here? Even after death, you remain an obstacle to King Shin.”
Ryu, stunned by the glowing light, felt an immense power coursing through him. Toru’s voice sounded again, firm and resolute. “Ryu, you must fight. Use my strength. Trust in the blood that flows within you.”
Clenching his fists, Ryu felt the blue light coalesce, forming a sword in his hands. Despite his fear, he stepped forward to face Draven, newfound courage shining in his eyes.
Draven raised his spear. “Let’s see if the heir of the Haze bloodline is worthy of his name.”
The battle between Ryu and Draven began, marking a new chapter in Ryu’s journey as the successor of Toru Haze.
