EXT. CITY BACKSTREETS – DUSK

Golden light pours between buildings. SHIN walks alone, hoodie up, hands in his pockets. Black Edge pendant hidden beneath his shirt.

SHIN (V.O.)
Fighting shadow monsters.
Talking to cursed jewelry.
Normal's officially dead.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
And yet... you still went to school today.
Remarkable.

SHIN
Shut it.

He rounds a corner—stops. Something's off.

A STRANGE ENERGY pulses in the air. Like heatwaves—but golden. Warmer than Black Edge. Brighter.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
...Interesting.

SHIN
What is it?

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Another Vessel.
I can feel it.

SHIN
Wait—like you?

A FIGURE drops from a fire escape ahead—RICO STRYKER (16). Spiky black hair, golden eyes, leather jacket with glowing seams. He carries TWO GOLDEN UZIS at his sides.

RICO
Yo.
You Shin Yagami?

SHIN
Who wants to know?

RICO
Someone who's been tracking cursed energy surges.
And you?
You light up like a bonfire.

He raises a gold-glowing Uzi. Not aimed. Just ready.

SHIN
You with the Watchers?

RICO
Nah.
They’re suits.
I’m freelance.
Name’s Rico Stryker.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
His power...
That’s not from tech.
It’s a Vessel.
Golden Light—one of the Seven.

SHIN
Wait, what?!
He's got one of you inside him?!

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
More like consumed it.
Fused.
That’s rare.
Dangerous.

RICO (grinning)
You hearin’ voices too, huh?
Thought so.
Looks like we’ve both got ghosts.

SHIN
So what do you want?

RICO
Wanna see if you're worth a damn.
No offense.

He twirls his Uzis, gold energy swirling around them.

SHIN
You wanna fight me...
Just 'cause?

RICO
Nah.
I wanna know if you’re strong enough to survive what’s coming.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
He's serious.
Watch out.

SHIN sighs, pulls the pendant out. It glows BLACK. He grabs it.

SHIN
Fine.
Let’s dance.

EXT. BACKSTREET – MOMENTS LATER

FLASH! Black and gold light collide. Shin summons his twin katanas. Rico's Uzis blaze golden with spirit energy.

RICO fires—rapid golden shots. Shin weaves, deflects with his blades. One shot grazes his shoulder.

SHIN
He's fast!

RICO
C’mon, Yagami!
Hit back!

SHIN dashes in—slashes. RICO flips over him, lands behind. Sprays again. SHIN spins, blocks. Energy crackles everywhere.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
He’s not trying to kill you.

SHIN
I KNOW THAT, DAMMIT!

RICO
You're holding back.
Stop.
Or you'll never survive the real ones.

SHIN
The real what?!

RICO (serious now)
The Broken.
Ones that eat Wraiths for breakfast.

SHIN charges again—KATANA slash. RICO leaps backward, performing a backflip in the process.

RICO
Heh.
Face it, Yagami.
You're outmatched.

SHIN
Don't rule me out yet, pal.

SHIN fakes a dash—then throws a black energy dagger. It grazes Rico’s cheek.

RICO
Heh.
Maybe you're not just swingin' shadows after all.

He raises his two Uzis. Fires—gold energy bullets blaze out.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
Dodge to the right!

SHIN
HUH?!

SHIN dodges to the right—almost crashes into a nearby car.

RICO (smirking)
Seems you have some skill.
But it needs polishing.

SHIN (panting)
What...
the hell was that?

RICO
A test.
And you passed.
You’re not just another orb-hugger.

BLACK EDGE (V.O.)
I hate him.
But I trust him.

SHIN
You're insane.

RICO
Probably.
But I’ve got answers.
And if you’re serious about surviving?
You’re gonna need 'em.

SHIN lowers his blades. They vanish in embers.

SHIN
...You’d better start talking.