The moon hung crimson in the night sky — vast, cold, unblinking.
Its light bathed the mountains of the Inari Clan, turning the white marble halls into rivers of blood and flame.
Farhan stood at the base of the ancient staircase, each step carved with runes older than the clan itself.
Above, the sacred altar of the Trial of the Moon awaited — a place where the blood of every Inari was tested by the heavens.
The air thrummed with energy.
Hundreds of disciples gathered, their crimson hair glinting beneath torchlight.
Elders stood in silent ranks, eyes sharp as blades.
And seated at the highest dais, like a god watching mortals, was Volcan Inari — the Patriarch, Farhan's father.
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Scene 1 – Whispers of the Court
> "Why is he here?"
"The concubine's son? He has no stars."
"Patriarch must be testing him for shame, not pride."
The whispers swirled like smoke.
Farhan kept his head down, his hands trembling.
A soft voice echoed beside him — calm, almost kind.
> "Don't listen to them."
It was Zarek. His tone held quiet strength, though his eyes were fixed on the altar ahead.
> "Remember this, Farhan — a sword doesn't need to be sharp to cut. It only needs the will to strike."
Farhan nodded faintly, the words burning into his heart.
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Scene 2 – The Patriarch Speaks
Volcan's voice cut through the night like thunder.
> "Tonight, the blood of Inari shall be tested before the Moon of Truth."
His crimson gaze swept across the crowd — cold, powerful, unwavering.
> "Those who stand before this altar shall offer their mana to the sacred flame. The weak will be consumed. The worthy will rise."
When his eyes fell upon Farhan, the world seemed to stop.
For a brief heartbeat, something unreadable flickered behind Volcan's gaze — sorrow, perhaps. Or fear.
But then it was gone, replaced by authority sharper than steel.
> "Step forward, Farhan Inari."
Farhan's legs felt heavy as he walked up the stone path, his heart pounding in his chest.
Every whisper behind him became a roar in his mind — "He'll fail. He'll die. He's not one of us."
But when he reached the altar, silence fell.
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Scene 3 – The Flame of the Moon
At the altar's center burned a pillar of blue-white fire — the Lunar Flame, said to burn away falsehood and reveal one's true nature.
An elder stepped forward.
> "Place your hand within the flame, and let your mana flow."
Farhan hesitated. The heat was not normal — it pulsed, alive, whispering in tongues.
He looked up once more at his father.
Volcan's face was still. Unreadable.
> "Do not fear," the Patriarch said calmly. "The flame judges truth, not blood."
Farhan took a deep breath… and placed his hand into the fire.
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Scene 4 – The Flame Rebels
The world exploded.
The moment his mana touched the flame, the sky screamed.
Lightning cracked across the clouds.
The flame turned crimson. Then black.
Elders shouted, rushing to stabilize the altar.
Disciples stumbled back in terror.
> "What's happening?!"
"The flame— it's rejecting him!"
"No… it's afraid!"
The Lunar Flame twisted violently, forming shapes — tails, nine of them, burning and writhing.
Farhan gasped, his body convulsing as power flooded through him, uncontrollable, ancient.
A voice echoed inside his mind — the same one from his dreams:
> "Break the seal. Remember who you are."
His vision blurred. He saw shadows — fox-like silhouettes circling the moon, whispering his name.
> "Farhan… heir of the Crimson Sky… awaken."
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Scene 5 – The Patriarch's Intervention
"ENOUGH!"
Volcan's roar shook the mountain.
In a flash, he appeared before the altar, his own power surging — nine blazing stars igniting around him.
He thrust his palm forward, sealing the altar with divine force.
A golden sigil spread beneath Farhan's feet — binding chains of light wrapping around him, forcing the black flame back into the void.
Farhan screamed as the power recoiled inside him. The ground cracked, the air screamed, and the moon itself flickered — dimming for an instant.
Then silence.
The chains vanished.
Farhan collapsed, unconscious.
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Scene 6 – The Aftermath
Elders whispered in terror.
> "What… what was that?"
"Even the Patriarch's seal barely contained it."
"Was that… divine energy?"
Volcan stood still, his expression calm, but sweat glistened at his temple.
> "The trial is concluded," he said coldly. "Farhan Inari is… unworthy."
Zarek stepped forward in disbelief.
> "Father— he didn't—"
Volcan's gaze silenced him. "Take him away."
Two guards rushed forward, carrying Farhan's limp body.
As they left, the torches flickered, and for a heartbeat, a crimson fox's shadow moved across the ground — unseen by all except Volcan himself.
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Scene 7 – Secrets in the Dark
Later that night, deep within the Patriarch's hall, Volcan stood before an ancient crystal orb — inside it, faint red mist swirled.
An elder knelt before him.
> "Patriarch… was it truly the seal?"
Volcan's voice was low, heavy with regret.
> "Yes. It cracked."
> "Should we strengthen it?"
> "No." His voice hardened. "If we do, it will fight back. His blood is not something we can bind forever."
He turned toward the balcony, watching the red moon fade behind clouds.
> "As long as I live, the world must never know what sleeps inside my son."
The elder bowed. "And if it awakens again?"
Volcan's eyes narrowed, glowing faintly red.
> "Then even I… may have to kill him."
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Scene 8 – The Sleeping Fox
Farhan woke in his bed, the sound of rain tapping against the window.
His head throbbed, but the memory of the black flame still burned in his mind.
He looked at his trembling hand — faint crimson sparks danced briefly across his fingers before fading again.
> "What are you…?" he whispered to himself.
From somewhere deep within, the voice of the fox murmured faintly:
> "You are what they fear."
.......
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