[OPENING SCENE — MOUNTAIN SHRINE, SUNSET]
A misty silence cloaks the high cliffs of Mount Hayashi. Blossoms spiral downward across an old stone path. Lanterns flicker softly, illuminating the ancient shrine. Suki Hanami stands alone at the foot of the steps, her expression focused yet fearful.
Suki (voice-over):
"Some scars never fade... and some ghosts never stop chasing."
She tightens her grip on the petal fans at her hips and takes a deep breath.
Suddenly — a sharp rustle.
Kageru (emerging from the shadows above):
"You should've never come back."
Suki (stepping forward):
"I didn't come to run. I came to finish it."
[SCENE — SKYVAULT, VAN HQ, COMMAND DECK]
Aurix watches live drone footage on the tactical screen.
Aurix (gritting teeth):
"She left without backup. Dammit, Suki."
Veya (arms crossed, frowning):
"Send me. I'll find her."
Aurix (nodding):
"Take a stealth glider. Don't let her face this alone."
[SCENE — SHRINE COURTYARD, BATTLE BEGINS]
Wind howls. Kageru lunges at Suki with a sudden burst of shadowstep, his twin katanas flashing. Suki counters with a Bloom Guard barrier, spinning petals deflecting the first strike. They clash, petals and smoke colliding.
Kageru (growling):
"You learned tricks. But I taught you real war."
Suki (narrowing eyes):
"And I learned mercy. You lost it."
Their duel spills across the shrine, knocking over lanterns. Cherry blossoms ignite in pink flame. Suki tries a teleport dash — but Kageru catches her mid-phase and slams her to the ground. She gasps.
Kageru:
"You were always the weakest bloom."
Suki stands, blood on her lip. She charges with her fans, spinning and slashing. A trail of sakura blades crackle through the air — but Kageru sidesteps, and with a final blow, knocks her down again.
[SCENE — SKY ABOVE SHRINE]
Veya drops from a glider, landing hard beside Suki.
Veya (guns ready):
"You wanna bully cherry blossoms? Try firepower, creep."
Kageru looks unfazed.
Kageru:
"The assassin queen returns. But you're late."
[DUAL BATTLE: VEYA + SUKI VS. KAGERU]
Suki activates Petal Phase, teleporting around Kageru, luring him into position.
Veya rains down crimson bullets that explode into pulse shockwaves.
Kageru tries a Shadow Clone move — but Veya spins through, blasting the right one.
Suki (gritting teeth):
"Let's clip this shadow for good."
Together, they form a combo move: Suki wraps Kageru in a vortex of swirling petals while Veya fires a pinpoint explosive through the storm.
BOOM — the explosion sends dust and petals flying.
When it clears... Kageru is gone.
Veya:
"You think he's dead?"
Suki:
"No. But he's scared. For the first time."
[ENDING SCENE — SHRINE STEPS]
Suki sits on the stone steps, breathing heavily. Veya offers her water. They both watch the sunset bleeding behind the mountains.
Suki:
"Thank you... for coming. I thought I could end it alone."
Veya (smirking):
"You could've. But it's more fun with backup."
Suki (smiling):
"Next time, I'll braid your hair during the fight."
Veya:
"You try that, and I'll fire a warning shot. Into your shoe."
They laugh, soft and exhausted.
Suki (whispering):
"This city... this team... they're worth blooming for."
[TO BE CONTINUED…]