Episode 5 – "Marked for Flame"
---
[Scene 1 – Village Hall, Council Gathering]
The Elders argue. News of Rei's display at Ember Hollow has reached rival nations.
Elder Mayro: "He must be protected. Or trained."
Elder Rin: "Trained? He lit a forest on fire without Spiracode! If he loses control again, what happens to us?"
They vote: Rei will be placed under Shadow Training — secret combat sessions designed for weapons of war.
Kael protests… but Rei agrees.
> Rei (calm): "If I'm a danger… I want to know how far that danger goes."
---
[Scene 2 – The Hollowed Thirteen – Side Meeting]
We meet another new member:
Name: Vaen the Quiet Bell
Former guardian of the World Bell Tower.
His voice causes insanity.
Now wears a blindfold and writes poetry in blood.
He reads an ancient poem:
> "When the watching flame burns blue,
Kings will fall, and stars will too.
Thirteen broken. One unspoken.
And fate reborn through ash and truth."
Lady Miren smirks:
> "That sounds like our guest has finally stirred."
Still, none speak of the real mastermind. The true villain remains hidden, pulling strings invisibly.
---
[Scene 3 – Rei's Shadow Training Begins]
The arena is underground, sealed in crystal. No sound escapes.
Kael and a masked warrior train Rei in forbidden combat styles:
Shadow-step
Flame focus breathing
Spiracode suppression
Rei begins to see flashes of an older version of himself in the mirrors — but it's not him. His moves are sharper. Colder. Ruthless.
> Kael:
"You're fighting like someone who's fought… not just to win, but to end."
Rei says nothing… but starts to wonder:
Is something else fighting through him?
---
[Scene 4 – External Threat Rises]
The Guild of Spirabreakers sends assassins to capture Rei. They're cloaked in anti-Spiracode dust and wield daggers that nullify energy.
They ambush him at night.
But Rei doesn't panic.
Instead, he stands still — and for the first time, the watching flame speaks to him.
> Unknown Voice (inside him):
"Do not hold back. They wouldn't."
A burst of spiral flame arcs from his chest, shaped like an eye.
3 of the 5 assassins burn instantly — the others flee in terror, screaming about a "Cursed Watcher."
Rei passes out from the power surge.
---
[Scene 5 – War Whispers]
All major forces now hear of the attack:
The Eastern Kings prepare soldiers.
The Crystal Watchers activate ancient spirabeasts.
Even Hollowed Thirteen begin to stir more openly.
Zenith Vale moves his chess pieces. Civrix sharpens his teeth. Kino sets a healing ward in flames.
> Zenith:
"The First War is coming. Let's hope the child is ready… or destroyed."
---
[Final Scene – Rei in Bed, Recovering]
Tami sits beside him, watching him sleep.
She holds a burn mark on her hand — from touching Rei during his outburst. But she isn't scared.
> Tami (softly):
"You don't scare me, Rei. I don't care if your fire watches the world. I'll watch you back."
Unknown to her, outside the room, a cloaked spy from the Eastern Kings watches through a crystal orb.
> Spy:
"Target found. We attack before he reaches the Awakening Flame."
CUT TO BLACK
Next Episode: "Before the Fire Falls"