Kurayami: Fallen Shadow

Kyoto is in ruins. 

Kurayami faces a dark, indistinct figure, a shadow he struggles to see clearly.

Paralyzed by fear, he feels a sharp pain in his chest. 

The shadow raises his hand, shows him his heart, then explodes it in front of him.

Shadow: "You are so weak..."

Kurayami wakes up with a start in his room, out of breath.

His alarm goes off.

He turns it off, still troubled by the nightmare.

In the kitchen, her sister, Hana, prepares breakfast. 

Seeing that Kurayami is slow to get up, she decides to go wake him up herself.

Hana (smiling): "Come on, groundhog, it's time!"

Kurayami, sitting on his bed, looks at his hands wondering if everything he had just experienced was just a dream.

Hana (worried): "Kura… are you okay?"

He nods, trying to hide his discomfort.

Hana: "I'm here if you need me."

Kurayami: "Thank you."

Kurayami gets ready for school. 

As he leaves his room, he looks around with a strange nostalgia.

In the kitchen, Kurayami joins Hana who is tidying up. 

She drops a cup, but he catches it just in time.

Kurayami (teasing): "Is this how you treat my gifts?"

Hana (embarrassed): "I'm sorry…"

Kurayami (smiling): "Stop apologizing for everything."

After a little moment of complicity, Kurayami sits down to eat.

But he is still thoughtful, haunted by his dream.

After finishing his lunch, Kurayami stood up silently, let out a soft sigh, then headed towards his room.

He grabbed his school bag, threw it over his shoulder and, without another word, walked towards the front door.

Hana, always so cheerful, wishes him good luck.

Hana: "Good luck for school, big brother!"

Kurayami smiles back before leaving. 

Little does he know that this ordinary routine is about to change.

Kurayami joins his friends Shiro and Akira in the schoolyard.

The atmosphere is light, but quickly the conversation takes on a competitive tone when Shiro tells them that a famous judoka, Sora Tanaka, will give a lesson in their class.

Shiro (excited): "Kura! Guess who's coming to our class today!"

Kurayami (without much conviction): "No idea…"

Shiro: "Sora Tanaka! The best judoka in Japan!"

Akira, always quick to joke, teases Kurayami about a possible fight between him and the judoka, which annoys the latter.

Akira (mocking): "You want to bet he'll beat you?"

While the discussion was in full swing, the discussion was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of their teacher, Mr. Matsuda.

Beside him stood an imposing figure that everyone immediately recognized: Sora Tanaka. A respectful silence ensued.

Mr. Matsuda: "Hello, everyone. This is Sora Tanaka, he does us the honor of attending our class today."

With a bright smile, Sora greeted Kurayami enthusiastically.

Sora: "I've heard a lot of things about you, Kurayami."

Kurayami, surprised by the attention, felt uncomfortable under the athlete's admiring gaze. He responded with a nod, trying to hide his confusion.

The class began in a more tense atmosphere. 

After a few exercises, Mr. Matsuda turned towards the class, a smile on his lips.

Mr. Matsuda: "Since we have the honor of having Sora among us today, why not take advantage of the opportunity? Kurayami, how about a little friendly fight with him?"

All eyes turned to Kurayami.

He hesitated, his hands clenching slightly. 

Yet, despite his hesitation, a spark of pride ignited within him. He knew he couldn't back down now.

Kurayami (calm but resolute): "Okay, I'm in."

The atmosphere changed, the excitement palpable, as the two fighters position face to face, ready for a confrontation that would mark the day.

Silence reigned in the gymnasium, interrupted only by the sound of rapid footsteps on the tatami and the heavy breathing of the spectators.

Kurayami and Sora faced each other, each assessing the other.

As soon as Mr. Matsuda gave the starting signal, Kurayami leapt forward, attempting a direct grab. 

His tense muscles released all the accumulated tension, each movement charged with raw energy.

Sora, for his part, simply dodged with almost casual fluidity, his graceful and precise movements, as if he had already anticipated each attack from Kurayami.

The first seconds were marked by a series of feints and attempts to catch Kurayami, but Sora remained untouchable, sliding between the attacks like a master in total control of his environment.

Kurayami (thought): "He's too fast... I have to find an opening, but where?"

The audience was captivated.

Kurayami's punches became more aggressive, desperate to break Sora's defense.

Yet each attack seemed to crash into an invisible wall. 

Kurayami was panting, feeling the weight of his own limitations tightening around him.

Sora, still calm, appears a new attempt at projection with an ease that almost humiliated Kurayami.

Sora (with a calm smile): "You're getting tired, Kurayami..."

These words echoed in Kurayami's head like a challenge.

The ground seemed to slip away from under his feet.

His tired body cried out to give up, but something inexplicable still burned inside him, a fire he refused to let go out.

Kurayami (thought): "No...I can't lose now."

As Sora moved in for a final blow, something changed in Kurayami's eyes.

A flash of determination crossed his eyes.

Then, in an instant, he dove, feigning an attack from the side.

Sora, caught off guard for the first time, tried to counter, but too late.

Kurayami used his opponent's momentum against him, grabbing his gi tightly and executing a skillful throw.

In a whirlwind of rapid movements, Sora was thrown to the ground with force, his body bouncing lightly on the tatami.

The impact echoed throughout the gymnasium, leaving spectators stunned. Time seemed to stop for a moment.

Out of breath, his knees trembling, Kurayami stood up, his eyes fixed on Sora who remained lying there, his smile gone.

A whisper traveled the room, before the gymnasium erupted in cheers.

Mr. Matsuda (raising his hand): "The winner... Kurayami!"

Kurayami's heartbeat still rang in his ears, as he looked down at his opponent on the ground. It wasn't just a victory on the tatami, it was a victory against himself.

After a few moments of silence, Sora finally moved.

Slowly, he placed a hand on the tatami and stood up, his breathing still heavy. He wiped his face with the back of his hand before standing up.

Despite the defeat, an amused smile appeared on his lips. His eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and respect.

Sora (smiling): "Well done, it was a great fight."

But Kurayami, still consumed by his own insecurities, cannot savor his victory.

The sun was slowly sinking, casting long shadows across the schoolyard. 

Kurayami, Shiro and Akira were sitting under a tree, exchanging jokes and talking about everything and nothing.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and Kurayami's success against Sora earlier in the day came up often in conversations.

Despite his friends' praise, Kurayami remained modest, avoiding bragging. 

He was still looking lost in thought, wondering how he had managed to stand up to such a formidable opponent.

Akira (laughing): "Honestly Kura, I told you, you would have had to bet with me! Now everyone knows you're a real beast!"

Kurayami smiled slightly, but didn't respond. 

It was at this moment that the light atmosphere was broken by a mocking voice, full of condescension.

Kazuki (dryly): "So, this is the famous 'legend' of Kurayami? Not impressive."

The trio turned around to see Kazuki approaching, his hands in his pockets, a cocky smile stretching his lips.

Kazuki was known for his pride and tendency to look for trouble. 

Always in competition with others, he hated when people stole the spotlight.

And today, Kurayami was the perfect target.

Shiro (whispering): "Kazuki… What does this guy want from us?"

Kazuki stopped in front of Kurayami, slightly towering over him from his height, and crossed his arms, his contemptuous smile in full view.

Kazuki: "So you think you're the best now, just because you beat Sora Tanaka?"

Kurayami looked up at Kazuki, his expression remaining neutral, but tension was beginning to build within him. 

He knew this kind of provocation, and he knew where it would lead.

Kurayami (calm): "I'm not pretending anything. It was just a friendly fight."

Kazuki snickered, clearly amused by Kurayami's response.

Kazuki: "Friendly? That's it, you can act modest as much as you want, but we all know that you think you're a hero. But tell me, are you as good with a sword as you are with your fists? "

Kazuki glanced around, catching the attention of nearby students who had stopped to observe.

A crowd was beginning to form.

Kurayami remained silent, sensing where this conversation was going, while Shiro and Akira exchanged worried glances.

Kazuki (insistently): "What do you say, Kurayami? Fencing, you and me. Let's see if you really live up to your reputation."

Kazuki's words were like a slap in the face to Kurayami.

He felt his blood boiling inside him, but he tried to control himself.

He knew Kazuki was trying to annoy him, to push him into accepting a challenge he might regret.

But something in Kazuki's arrogance, in the way he publicly denigrated him, made his calmness falter.

Akira (annoyed): "What's your problem, Kazuki? Why are you always trying to prove that you're better?"

Kazuki ignored Akira and focused solely on Kurayami, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of defiance and contempt.

He wanted Kurayami to break down, to respond to the provocation.

Kurayami, for his part, clenched his fists.

He knew this wouldn't end well. 

Still, he couldn't back down now, not in front of everyone, not with Kazuki looking at him with this air of superiority.

Kurayami (resolute): "Very good. If you want a sword fight so much, I'll accept it."

A murmur ran through the crowd, the excitement growing. 

Kazuki smiled widely, satisfied that he had gotten what he wanted.

Kazuki (triumphant): "Perfect. I promise it won't be as easy as your little judo fight. Prepare to be humiliated."

Kurayami slowly stood up, his cold gaze fixed on Kazuki. 

He had never really practiced swordsmanship seriously, but something in Kazuki's eyes pushed him to accept this challenge.

It wasn't about technique or talent, it was about pride.

Shiro (worried): "Kura… are you sure?"

Kurayami didn't answer, but his eyes shone with new determination. 

The fight that would follow would not only be physical.

It was a confrontation to defend his honor, and he could not lose that.

The gymnasium was plunged into an atmosphere heavy with tension. 

The students gathered in silence, forming a circle around the tatami, their eyes fixed on Kurayami and Kazuki.

The two adversaries faced each other, armed with training sabers, ready to measure themselves against each other.

Kurayami gripped the hilt of his weapon, feeling the coldness of metal against his trembling fingers. 

It was more than just a duel: it was about his honor.

Coach: "Start!"

The signal sounded, and without wasting a second, Kazuki spear on the attack. 

He pounced on Kurayami with disconcerting agility, striking with a speed that the latter could not anticipate.

The first blow was barely parried, but the impact shook Kurayami's arms, and he staggered under the force.

Kazuki (snickering): "Is that all you got, Kurayami?"

Kazuki's words were as many blows as his strikes. Kurayami didn't respond, just repositioning himself.

He knew he didn't have the swordsmanship experience that Kazuki had, but he refused to give in so easily. 

Catching his breath, he adopt a defensive posture, ready to withstand the next wave of attacks.

Kazuki attacked again, this time with a series of complex and rapid strikes. Each strike was calculated to destabilize Kurayami, who was struggling to keep up.

His displays became less confident, and he found himself constantly on the defensive, his movements less fluid, more desperate.

Kurayami (thought): "I have to find an opening...I can't just defend."

At this moment, Kurayami try a response. 

Taking advantage of a slight slowdown in Kazuki's attacks, he swiped with his saber, aiming for his opponent's waist. 

Kazuki dodged skillfully, but for the first time he showed a slight sign of surprise.

Kurayami felt a spark of confidence arise within him. Maybe he had a chance after all.

However, Kazuki had no intention of letting himself be surprised further. He quickly stood up and, with a cold smile, struck with renewed violence.

This time, his wooden blade hit Kurayami directly in the arm, a blow so hard that he dropped his sword.

Kazuki (cruel): "You don't have a chance."

Kurayami stepped back, pain radiating down his entire arm. The gymnasium fell into a tense silence, spectators holding their breath.

Kurayami's sword lay on the ground, and Kazuki, triumphant, slowly advanced, ready to deliver the final blow.

Kazuki (satisfied): "This is what happens when you overestimate yourself."

But Kurayami, despite the pain, refused to give up. 

His mind swirled with thoughts, memories of his previous failures, of the pressure he constantly felt to prove his worth.

He knew this fight was more than just victory or defeat. 

Gritting his teeth, he threw himself at Kazuki with the last of his strength, attempting a desperate attack with his bare hands.

Kazuki, however, was not impressed. 

With one fluid movement, he dodged Kurayami's clumsy assault and, with a well-placed blow, struck again, this time in the flank.

The blow was decisive. Kurayami collapsed to the ground, out of breath, his strength failing him. Pain overwhelmed him, and he knew the fight was over.

Coach (authoritatively): "Enough!"

Kazuki, with a satisfied smile, lowered his saber and stepped back, triumphant. 

He didn't say anything, just gave Kurayami a condescending look before walking away.

The silence in the gymnasium was heavy, the murmurs of the spectators starting to be heard.

Akira (unquiet) : "Get out!"

Shiro and Akira rushed to Kurayami, who slowly stood up, wincing from the pain.

He had lost, that was undeniable. 

But despite the defeat, something in him remained intact. 

He had stood his ground, and even though he had not emerged victorious, he had not given in.

The coach approached, a respectful expression on his face. 

Although he had observed Kurayami's defeat, he had also seen his potential, his determination and his courage.

He held out a hand to help Kurayami up.

Trainer: "You fought well, Kurayami. Losing is not important. What matters is your fighting spirit. I think you have what it takes to become an excellent swordsman. I would like to offer to join our club."

Kurayami, still panting, fixed the coach for a while. 

The offer was tempting.

He had tasted this new challenge, and he knew he had a lot to learn. 

But something inside him held him back.

He wasn't ready, not now. 

Not after such a crushing defeat.

He sat up completely, shaking his head gently, a tired but sincere smile on his lips.

Kurayami: "Thank you, Sensei, but... I'm not interested at the moment. I still have some things to take care of."

The coach nodded, understanding that Kurayami needed time. 

He watched him leave, limping slightly, surrounded by his friends who encouraged him despite everything.

While Kurayami struggled with her own challenges at school, a carefree Hana enjoyed a fun day with her friends.

The shopping center was lively, the laughter of young girls echoed among the noise of the crowd. 

They went from one store to another, scanning the windows looking for the perfect gift for her brother's birthday.

Hana wanted something special, something that would show how much she cared.

Akiko (pointing to a window): "Hana, look at this! This necklace would go perfectly with the bracelet you gave her last year!"

Hana's eyes lit up when she saw a necklace with a delicately cut crystal, sparkling under the artificial lights of the store.

It was exactly what she was looking for. 

The choice was quick. 

Without hesitation, she bought the necklace, clutching it with pride in her hand.

Hana (beaming): "Kurayami will love this. I'm sure he'll be surprised."

Her friends smiled back, sharing her enthusiasm. 

After spending a while hanging out and talking, the girls decided to head home.

Hana, excited at the idea of ​​finding her brother and giving him his gift, hurried on the way back.

The sky was beginning to darken, and the streets were bathed in golden late-day light. 

She walked lightly, her bag containing the precious gift swinging gently against her hip.

Arriving at the door of the family home, Hana felt a strange shiver run down her spine.

Something was wrong.

The house seemed unusually quiet.

No light, no sound of dishes in the kitchen, no laughter from his parents who usually welcomed him warmly.

Hana (thought): "That's weird… They should be here…"

She turned the key in the lock, her stomach churning with worry she couldn't explain. The door opened slowly, creaking slightly.

She entered the dark hallway, the heavy silence immediately enveloping her. His heart was beating a little faster.

Hana (out loud): "Mom? Dad? I'm home!"

No response.

Hana moved cautiously, passing into the living room. 

The air there was heavy, almost suffocating.

She frowned, worry turning into a deeper fear, a primal instinct she couldn't ignore.

And then his eyes fell on a scene that froze his blood in his veins.

The living room floor was stained with blood. 

Everywhere. 

The metallic smell filled the air, and in the midst of this horror lay the bodies of his parents.

Their flesh was torn, their limbs mutilated with unimaginable violence. 

Hana froze, her mind refusing to accept what she was seeing.

Hana (terrified): "Pa... Dad?... Mom?!"

His voice broke in a shaky breath. 

She took a step forward, her legs suddenly heavy and unsteady.

Suddenly his gaze was drawn to a moving shadow in a corner of the room. 

There, next to the bodies, stood a black silhouette, indistinct, like a living shadow.

It was a demon, a creature of pure darkness, its red eyes burning in the dark like hellish embers.

He stood there, motionless, looking at Hana with icy indifference.

Hana (horrified, stepping back): "No… it's impossible…"

The demon took a step forward, its terrifying presence filling the room, almost sucking the air around them.

Hana, paralyzed by fear, felt a wave of despair wash over her.

The bag containing the necklace for Kurayami slipped from her hands and fell to the ground with a thud, but she couldn't take her eyes off the creature that had just destroyed her life.

The silence was broken only by the frantic beating of his heart. 

The world around her seemed to distort, as if reality itself was shifting beneath her feet.

She wanted to scream, to call for help, but no sound came out of her throat. The demon, motionless, seemed to savor his terror.

Suddenly, a noise coming from outside made the demon's head turn slightly. 

Hana, trembling with all her being, saw a glimmer of hope in this distraction. 

But she knew that running away wouldn't be enough.

The demon was too fast, too powerful. 

Running outside wouldn't save her. 

In a fit of panic, she turned and ran upstairs, her legs almost buckling in terror.

She rushed into her room, slammed the door behind her and took refuge in the closet, burying her face in her trembling hands.

Her tears fell silently, her breathing short and ragged, trying desperately to calm her racing heart.

His thoughts were muddled, searching for a solution, but everything seemed in vain.

The silence lasted only a few seconds before the demon made its presence heard again.

Below, the house shook under his heavy, sinister footsteps. 

Hana heard a loud crack, followed by the terrifying sound of wood shattering.

The demon wasn't just looking for her, he was destroying everything in his path. 

The walls and furniture gave way under his blows, as if nothing could stop him.

A loud bang sounded from downstairs, and Hana jumped, covering her mouth to stifle a scream.

She heard the demon knocking over chairs, breaking windows, each noise making her feel like her heart would explode with terror.

She closed her eyes, silently praying that the demon wouldn't find her.

But he was going up the stairs. Slowly, with icy confidence, he moved towards her, as if he could already feel her presence.

Each step of the demon seemed to echo through the house, and Hana felt her breath catch with each new noise.

She heard the wood crack under the weight of the creature which was dangerously approaching its hiding place.

Suddenly, the door to his room shattered with a deafening crash. The demon had just entered.

Hana, huddled in the closet, was trembling all over. 

The black figure moved slowly across the room, knocking over everything in its path.

His heavy breath filled the air, and Hana could feel the oppressive coldness of his presence drawing closer.

Hana (thought): "He's going to find me... There's nothing I can do..."

The demon stopped right in front of the closet.

There was total silence, except for the frantic beating of Hana's heart, which echoed in her ears like war drums.

She clutched her phone to her, her fingers clenched so tightly they hurt.

Then, with terrifying slowness, the closet door opened with a sinister creak. 

Hana looked up, and their eyes met.

The demon's piercing red eyes stared into his. 

She knew there was no escape.

Kurayami arrives in front of his house, with a heavy heart, unaware of the drama that has just taken place there.