(This is Dialogue Driven style of writing. The story will change between Dialogue Driven and Narrative Writing as per the viewers)
Chapter 1
Scene: A quiet evening in a medieval town, the sky painted with shades of purple as the sun sets behind distant mountains. Lanterns begin to flicker to life along the cobbled streets, casting long shadows.
Mother’s Voice: “Son! We’re sorry! Please forgive us!”
Shinjiro: “Mom! Dad! Rachel!
Sister’s Voice: “Brother!
Shinjiro: “No!!!”
(Shinjiro jolts awake, gasping for breath. He realizes it was just a dream, another echo of his memories. He finds himself sitting beneath an old oak tree, the rough bark pressing against his back.)
Shinjiro: (whispering to himself) Another dream... will they ever stop?
(The 16-year-old stares out at the fields stretching before him, lost in thought.)
(After a few moments, footsteps approach through the tall grass. Shinjiro glances up to see Shun, his friend, smiling down at him.)
Shun: (grinning) Found you! What are you doing all the way out here?
Shinjiro: (shrugging) Nothing.
(Shun sits down beside him, looking at him with a curious expression.)
Shun: Come on, tell me.
Shinjiro: (after a pause) I was... just thinking about my purpose in life.
Shun lets out a laugh, and Shinjiro frowns.
Shinjiro: Stop laughing. I really gave it a thought.
Shun: Alright, alright. So, what did you come up with?
Shinjiro: Nothing. Nothing at all.
(Shun’s face softens as he looks at his friend.)
Shun: You’re probably just missing your family. It’s easy to start overthinking things when you’re feeling lonely.
Shinjiro: (looking down) Maybe. Everything seemed fine... then, one day, it all just disappeared.
Shun: You mean your family disappeared.
Shinjiro: (nodding) It’s empty without them. I miss them... more than anything.
(Shun places a reassuring hand on Shinjiro’s shoulder.)
Shun: I understand.
Shinjiro: (bitterly) Do you really? You still have your parents with you.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Shun: Don’t sink into sadness, my friend. Why don’t you go grab something from the Oizo Shop? Eating always makes you feel better.
(scene change)
Scene: A cozy, bustling medieval restaurant with wooden tables and a large stone fireplace. The aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread fills the air as Shinjiro steps inside and takes a seat at one of the tables.
Oizo: (calling from behind the counter) Let me know if you want more, kid.
Shinjiro: (nodding) Okay.
(As he sits down, he overhears a conversation nearby.)
Man 1: (whispering to Oizo) Is he... the abandoned kid?
Oizo: (frowning) Don’t say it like that.
Man 1: But you know what happened, right
Oizo: (sighing) Yes, I remember. It was three years ago. A fire swept through the town... and then they came.
Man 1: Who came?
Oizo: (lowering his voice) The Arcanors.
Man 1: (laughing) You’re joking! Everyone knows the Arcanors are just creatures from stories.
Oizo: (staring him down) I saw them with my own eyes.
Man 1: You must have been drunk!
Oizo: (grumbling) Maybe, but I know what I saw.
Just then, Shinjiro looks up and calls out.
Shinjiro: Can I get some more?
Oizo: (smiling kindly) Sure, kid. Here you go.
(scene change)
Scene: Shun’s house, a simple yet cozy room dimly lit by a single candle. Shun’s father storms into the room, anger in his eyes.
Father: (yelling) Shun, what were you thinking?!
(He slaps Shun hard, and Shun stumbles back, clutching his cheek.)
Mother: (coldly) He doesn’t know his place, this boy.
Fiol, Shun’s younger brother, tries to step in.
Fiol: (crying out) Brother!
(But the father grabs Fiol by the neck, pulling him away.)
Father: You’re nothing but a disappointment!
Shun: (fiercely) Let him go!
(Shun attempts to push his father away, but the man’s grip only tightens as he slams Shun’s head down.)
Father: How dare you stand up to me?
Mother: (calmly) I’ve arranged something. He’ll be taken away tonight.
Shun: (alarmed) Taken where? Who are you talking about?
Mother: Say your goodbyes. Fiol is leaving.
(Scene change)
Scene: The same house, but now it’s the dead of night. Shun is tied to a chair, struggling against the ropes. Fiol sneaks in, whispering urgently.
Fiol: (whispering) Brother! Wake up!
Shun slowly opens his eyes, confused.
Shun: Fiol? What’s going on?
Fiol: (panicked) I knocked him out—the man who was here to take me.
(Suddenly, loud banging comes from the door.)
Voice from Outside: Open up! Or I’ll break it down!
Shun looks around, panic filling his eyes.
Shun: (thinking quickly) Fiol, get out through the window! Now!
(Fiol rushes to the window, but as he starts climbing out, his father storms in, grabbing him.)
Father: Where do you think you’re going?
(Shun grabs a nearby stick and swings it at his father’s hand, freeing Fiol.)
Fiol: (climbing out the window) Brother! Come with me!
Shun: (firmly) Go find Shinjiro! Now!
(Fiol hesitates, then jumps out and vanishes into the night. Shun turns to face his furious father, fear and defiance mixing in his gaze.)
Father: (mockingly) You think you’re an adult now?
(The father picks up a sharp piece of broken glass, stepping closer to Shun.)
Father: Shun!
(Suddenly, everything freezes, and a mysterious man appears in the corner of the room.)
Man: (calmly) You... you would make a fine fit.
Shun: (looking around, confused) What... what’s happening?
Man: (handing him a knife) Kill him.
Shun: (shocked) No! He’s my father.
Man: (shrugging) Then do as you wish.
(Time resumes. Shun’s father brings the glass down, cutting into Shun’s shoulder. Just then, Shinjiro and Fiol burst into the room.)
Shinjiro: Shun!
Fiol: Brother!
Father: (spitting) Fiol, come here. I’ll deal with you myself!
Shinjiro: Stop! What are you doing to your own children?
(The father lunges toward Shinjiro, shoving him against the wall.)
Fiol: No! No!
Shun: (screaming) Stop!!!
(Once again, time halts. The man from before steps forward, speaking to Shun.)
Man: Your brother and friend are both in danger. Accept my offer, and you can save them. Kill him.
Shun: (trembling) I... I’m afraid. He’ll kill me.
Man: Time is frozen. Go. Do what you must.
(Overcome by fear and anger, Shun grabs the knife and, with a desperate cry, plunges it into his father’s back. His father gasps, then collapses.)
(The townspeople rush into the room, followed by Shun’s mother, who takes in the scene with horror.)
Mother: He... he killed my husband!
Shun: (breathless) No! He was trying to kill Fiol.
(Fiol, in shock, faints. The townspeople restrain Shun, ignoring his pleas.)
Shinjiro: No! He’s not a criminal!
Oizo: (pulling Shinjiro back) Stay away, Shinjiro.
Shun: (to Shinjiro) I’m sorry, Shinjiro. I have to go.
(Time freezes again. The mysterious man steps forward.)
Man: You made the right choice.
Shun: Take me wherever you want.
(The man places a hand on Shun’s shoulder, and in a flash of light, the three of them vanish.)
(scene change)
Scene: A dimly lit, cold stone prison. Water drips from the ceiling, and rats scurry across the floor. Shinjiro wakes up, his hands and feet tied, feeling the sting of pain in his leg.
Guard: (throwing water in his face) Wake up!
Shinjiro: (blinking) Where am I?
Hiroko: (leaning down to meet his gaze) I am Hiroko of the Royal Capital. Are you a spy?
Shinjiro: (desperately) No! Where is Shun?
Hiroko: (coldly) Break his bones.
(A guard strikes strike his leg with an iron bar)