Rain. Smoke. Footsteps.

Rian Kade runs through the docks, limping hard.

Blood splatters behind him — the kind that says he won’t make it far.

(Inner Thought)

> Trust... is the sharpest weapon I ever held.

He hides behind a metal crate. His pistol trembles in his hand.

The sound of boots echoes closer.

Through the rain, two figures appear — Darius and Lena.

People he once called family.

Rian: “You made it…”

Darius smirks, lowering his gun.

Lena’s eyes are full of something — guilt, maybe.

Darius: “Of course. I always cover your six.”

(A pause. Rain hitting metal. A gun cocks.)

BANG.

Rian collapses, screaming as his knee shatters.

Rian: “...Darius?”

Darius: “Client doubled the price. You understand.”

Lena turns her face away as Darius takes the briefcase from Rian’s hands.

Rian: “Lena... please.”

Lena: (softly) “I’m sorry.”

(Another gunshot. Silence.)

---

[Months Later – Hospital Room]

Rian sits by a window in a wheelchair.

Rain again. Always rain.

He stares at the blinking monitor beside his bed — a game screen.

WarBound Online.

(Inner Thought)

> In here, no one betrays you.

No smiles. No bullets. Just reset.

The screen flashes: RESPAWN?

Rian chuckles weakly.

> “Yeah... why not.”

(The monitor flatlines.)

The sound of rain fades.

A faint digital whisper cuts through the static—

> “Respawn confirmed.”

---

[Unknown Location – Dawn]

Rian gasps awake.

Cold air burns his lungs.

He’s kneeling on stone beside dozens of other children, all wearing black.

His hands — small. Too small.

A voice echoes:

> “From this day, you are no longer children. You are blades.”

Rian looks around in confusion.

Uniforms. Masks. Weapons.

This isn’t a hospital.

(Inner Thought)

> This... isn’t heaven.

This isn’t a dream.

It’s... a restart.

Instructor:

> “Stand. Face your weakness. Or die with it.”

Rian stands slowly, balance shaky.

A faint reflection glints on a dagger lying near his feet — a child’s face, emotionless.

(Inner Thought)

> If this world wants a weapon...

Then I’ll be one.

---

[Fade Out]

Title Card: Silent Respawn – The Blade That Never Smiles

---

💬 Author’s Note:

Hey readers — this is the beginning of Rian’s story.

Betrayal. Rebirth. Silence.

If you felt that rain-soaked tension, drop a ❤️ or comment below — it helps me keep pushing this series forward.

New episode coming soon — “The Trial of Weakness.”