Shadow Protocol: The Blood Debt
The Father’s Secret
[It's 12 AM, Aryan is working on his laptop]
Maya: (Aryan’s Sister)
Bro, Are you awaken still?
Aryan
Yep, why? Do you need anything ?
Maya: (Aryan’s Sister)
Why is Dad's old diary shaking in the drawer? There's a strange sound coming from inside it.
Aryan
That thing is very old, maybe there are insects in it. Go and sleep!
Maya: (Aryan’s Sister)
No, brother! The diary is glowing blue now! And look in the mirror... somehow the inside of the mirror has become dark!
Aryan
Don't move there, I'm coming!
[At this moment, a message from an unknown number came to Aryan's phone]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan, don't let her touch the diary.
Aryan
Who are you? Why are you watching me and my sister?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Your father made a contract 20 years ago. It expires today.
Aryan
Dad? Dad died 10 years ago! What's the deal?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
A deal to save one life by sacrificing another. Your father is no longer alive, so the creditor is now at your door.
Aryan
Stop talking nonsense! Are you kidding me?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Look at the living room. Can you see the shadow between your sister and the mirror?
[Maya's loud scream was heard from the living room]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Don't open the door, Aryan.
Aryan
Who are you? Where did you get my number?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
It doesn't matter who I am. The mirror your sister is standing in front of right now is no ordinary mirror.
Aryan
Don't talk nonsense. Maya is in danger!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
The moment you step into the living room, the 'Shadow Protocol' will be activated. Can your body withstand the pressure?
Aryan
Shut up! I'm calling the police.
Unknown: The police can't save you from the shadow.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
A blue circle will appear on your phone screen right now. Touch it with your finger.
Aryan
Why should I listen to you?
[Maya's screams are heard from the living room]
Maya: (Aryan’s Sister)
Brother! Who is this shadow? He is pulling my hand! Save me!
[Aryan runs to the living room, but Maya is not there. Only his father's old diary is lying on the floor and the mirror is cracked and black.]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
It's late. Your sister has been taken as per the agreement.
Aryan
Who are you? Give my sister back!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
My name is Zero. I am a witness to that agreement.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
To get your sister back, you have to finish your father's unfinished business.
Aryan
What do you have to do? I'm willing to do anything!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
An 'Accept' button will now appear on your phone. Pressing it means selling your soul to this 'Shadow Protocol'.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
That's what your father did. Will you have the courage to do that?
[System Notification: The Blood Debt has been claimed. Do you accept the Protocol?]
Aryan
I will give my life for Maya! I ACCEPT!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
The deal is done. Look at the veins in your hands, they are turning black.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Welcome to the dark world, Aryan. Now jump into the mirror... Let the atonement for your father's sins begin.
[Just before Aryan jumped into the mirror]
Aryan
My veins are burning! Zero, what is happening to me?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
'Dark energy' is entering your human body. If you can't bear it, you will turn to ashes there.
Aryan
I... I can bear it. But what is on the other side of the mirror?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
On the other side is 'The Forsaken Realm'. There are thousands of people like your father there, burdened with their debts.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan, remember one thing. Don't trust anyone there. Not even your sister Maya.
Aryan
What do you mean? Why shouldn't I trust Maya?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Because Maya isn't alone there. Her shadow is now in someone else's possession.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Time is running out. They're trying to break down your bedroom door.
[A heavy thud is heard from outside: Bang! Bang!]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
'The Debt Collectors'. They've come to take your soul.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
There's only one way now—jump into the mirror! Now!
[Aryan jumped into the black mirror without thinking for a moment.]
[System: Transitioning to the Forsaken Realm... Identity Confirmed: The Son of the Debtor.]
[To be continued...
Should I....? ]
Into the Forsaken Realm
[Scene: Aryan jumps into a completely different, dark world after jumping into the mirror. The air is thick and cold.]
[System Notification: Welcome to 'The Forsaken Realm'. Corruption Level: 15% and rising.]
Aryan
Oh, God!! My head is about to explode! I... Where am I?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Be careful, Aryan. Your human body is trying to withstand the poisonous air of this world.
Aryan
Zero? Where are you? I can't see you!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Not only that, but I'm talking to you through your phone and the 'dark energy' in your veins. I'm not a specific body.
Aryan
Why is everything so quiet here? And Maya... Where is Maya? Is she in this world?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Maya is nearby. But remember, don't get lost yourself while looking for Maya.
[Suddenly, a broken voice was heard singing from within the fog.]
Aryan
Zero! What is that sound? Someone is singing!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
That is not an ordinary song. That is 'Siren's Call'. This is how the souls of those who are lost in this world trap someone new.
Aryan
Don't talk nonsense! That could be Maya's voice! I'm going that way.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
I forbid you, Aryan. Don't go there!
[Aryan stepped forward through the fog. Suddenly, he saw a small boy sitting on an old, broken swing ahead. The boy was dark and scruffy.]
Aryan
Who are you, kid? Why are you sitting here alone?
Ghost Child: (Lost Spirit)
**
[Here enters new character. Ghost Child - The Spirit]
Ghost Child: (Lost Spirit)
(slowly raised his head, no eyes or nose on his face) I... I'm waiting for Maya.
Aryan
Maya? Do you know Maya? Where is she?
Ghost Child: (Lost Spirit)
She's waiting for Maya... She's waiting for Maya... (throat trembled)
Aryan
Answer me! Where is Maya?!
Ghost Child: (Lost Spirit)
She's waiting for all of us! She's going to take you now!
[Suddenly the boy's form grew and sharp black nails came out of his hand.]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan, move away now! That's a 'Ghost Devourer'!
Aryan
It's jumping at me! My body isn't moving!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Use your right hand! Your father's power is in your veins. Focus!
[The Ghost Devourer jumped on Aryan. At the last moment, a flash of black light came out of Aryan's right hand, knocking the Ghost away.]
Aryan
Aaaaahhhh! My hand is burning! But... but what happened to that?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
That's your first 'Shadow Skill'. Your transformation has begun.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
But be careful... that sound has now awakened all the hungry souls around.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
They're coming.
The Echoes of the Damned
[Scene: Right after episode 2. The black light that comes out of Aryan's hand shakes the surroundings. The Ghost Devourer has turned to smoke, but an even more terrifying rumbling sound is coming from the surrounding fog.]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan, don't stand still! That flash of light sent out a 'dark signal' to this area.
Aryan
My hand... my hand is still shaking, Zero. It feels like lava is flowing through my veins.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
It's your father's bloodline. But remember, the more you use this power, the faster the 'human' part of you will fade away.
Aryan
I don't care. I won't move a step from here without Maya.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
What's that sound? Can you hear it?
Aryan
Footsteps. Many footsteps. Coming from all around!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
They're 'The Forsaken Sentinels'. Those who were trapped in this world forever, now preying on new ones.
Aryan
What are those glowing things in the fog? Blue eyes?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
There are so many of them. Run, Aryan! Towards that broken tower on the left!
[Aryan starts running. Dozens of shadowy figures are chasing him. Each of them has a rusty axe in their hand and no flesh in their mouth, just bones.]
Aryan
I can't! I'm gasping for breath. The air here is like poison!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Check your system.
[System Status: Toxicity Level 40%]
Zero: (The Entity / System)
It'll take more time for your lungs to get used to the dark energy.
Aryan
They're getting too close to me! Zero, give me a weapon!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
You have no weapon. You are the weapon now. Gather your anger and fear into your hands.
Aryan
I can't... I'm not a warrior! I'm just an ordinary boy!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
You were ordinary. But now you are 'The Son of the Debtor'. Your anger is your sword.
[Suddenly a shadow figure grabs Aryan's shoulder. Aryan's skin is burning and turning black.]
Aryan
Aaaaahhhh! My shoulder! It's biting me!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan! Release the darkness inside you! Now!
[Aryan screamed. Black wings suddenly grew huge from his body and blew away all the surrounding sentinels in a flash.]
Aryan
Oh, God!... I... I killed them all?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
You released them. But this manifestation of your power has awakened someone very big.
Aryan
Who are you talking about?
Zero: (The Entity / System)
'The Keeper'. The one who guards the gate of this Forsaken Realm.
The Keeper (an ancient entity)
[The ground began to shake. A huge gate appeared ahead, made of human bones. A huge monster sat in front of the gate, its entire body covered in rotting skin.]
The Keeper: (An ancient, decaying entity
(in a deep, grave-like voice) Did the son bring the money for his father's debt?
Aryan
My father is not in debt! Give me my sister back!
The Keeper: (An ancient, decaying entity
Hahaha! Your father bought you 20 years of time in exchange for his soul. That time is over today.
Aryan
Where is Maya? Answer me!
The Keeper: (An ancient, decaying entity
Maya is now in 'The Soul Forge'. She is being melted down to create new dark energy.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Aryan, don't get excited. He wants to make you angry and absorb your power.
The Keeper: (An ancient, decaying entity
Aryan... Do you want to see how your sister is now? Look in the mirror.
[The Keeper turns a small mirror in his hand towards Aryan. There, Maya is seen trapped in a cage, and black insects are entering her body from all around.]
Maya: (Aryan’s Sister)
(from inside the mirror) Brother... Save me! They're eating me!
Aryan
Maya!!! Zero, I have to break that gate! Now!
Zero: (The Entity / System)
It's impossible! You can't cross the gate without defeating the Keeper.
Aryan
But that's what will happen. Today, either I'll return with Maya, or this darkness will swallow me.
Zero: (The Entity / System)
Cheak alart📲
[System Alert: Berserk Mode Unlocking...
Warning: Mental Stability at 20%]
The Keeper: (An ancient, decaying entity
Come on, boy... Let's see how strong your blood is!
[To be continued.........]
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