The Chosen Shadow

On a cold and foggy night, in a secret meeting place in the middle of the forest, Master Sendatsu, the leader of the Shadow Sect, together with his three comrades: Master Odayaka, Master Muzukashi and Master Kashikoi; is discussing about the next successor that will inherit their sacred shadow techniques and defeat the betrayer of their clan.

"How can we choose the next successor?" Sendatsu asks in a desperate voice.

"We should test all of the ninjas in our sect and the one who survive till the end, will be the next successor." Said by the strict master, Muzukashi.

"We will lose some people if we do that." Odayaka said, with worries on her words.

Muzukashi replied, "But we cannot succeed if we don't even try. We could test everyone in our sect to find this chosen one."

"That was too much for our people!" Odayaka said.

"We just need a warrior that is strong enough to kill that shadow monster before it also kills us!" Muzukashi replied.

"Do you have any suggestion Master Odayaka?" The great leader asks.

"Sigh..."

"I agree with Master Muzukashi, but we should limit the number of ninjas we will test and train." Odayaka replied.

Sendatsu made up his mind.

"... So there was no other way, but to find the next successor by testing our ten best ninjas on different challenges; and we will judge them according to how well they perform-"

"The chosen shadow..." The oldest master, Kashikoi interrupts.

All eyes on the wise master.

"The chosen shadow."

"We don't have to find for it."

"It will find us."

"And we will build him."

The room echoes with silence. Full of questions in their minds.

Suddenly, a terrifying sound was heard from the outside.

"It's just a forest beast." Muzukashi said confidently.

"But there were no beast in this forest since we live here!" Odayaka replied.

Sendatsu feel cautious. He immediately peek outside.

"No... !"

Everyone terrifies and becomes curious!

"The Shadow!" Sendatsu whispers.

They cannot believe what they see.

A dark ferocious shadow in the middle of the night, is facing off a wounded young boy holding a twig!

The shadow is ready to finish him!

The four masters were amazed on how the young boy can look directly to the terrifying shadow.

Full of fire in his eyes! Prepared to fight!

Without further delay, they try to strike the Shadow, but it vanishes in the dark!

They immediately carry the young boy and escape from the forest.