SoUl

The rooftop was quiet except for the distant echoes of sirens below. Vieira stood near the edge, still reeling from everything he had just been told. Shadows. Soul energy. The Order. His world had flipped upside down in mere hours.

Across from him, Kenji sat on the ledge, wrapping a bandage around his arm with his torn sleeve. He winced slightly but didn't complain.

Ryo stood nearby, his posture calm as always. He had barely broken a sweat, despite the fight, and his glasses reflected the dim rooftop lights as he watched Vieira closely.

Vieira clenched his fists. "I was promised answers."

Ryo sighed. "And I'll give them to you. But listen carefully, because this isn't something you can unlearn."

Vieira nodded, his heartbeat steadying.

"What you saw today," Ryo began, "was a Shadow."

Kenji scoffed. "No shit."

Ryo ignored him. "Shadows are creatures that exist in a separate realm but leak into ours when conditions allow it. They consume human souls to sustain themselves, and the stronger the soul, the more powerful they become."

Vieira frowned. "Then what about you guys? You called yourself Exorcists… What does that mean?"

Kenji leaned forward. "Exorcists are the only ones who can fight Shadows. We're trained to use soul energy.... the fundamental power that exists in every living thing. We manipulate it to attack, defend, or even alter the battlefield itself."

Vieira's brows furrowed. "Soul energy? I don't feel anything like that."

Kenji gave him a tired look. "That's because you've never tried using it, genius."

Vieira gritted his teeth. He wanted to argue, but a part of him couldn't deny it..... he had fought the Shadow without fear. And something about it had felt… familiar.

Vieira's mind raced. This wasn't just about monsters attacking people, there was an entire hidden world operating in the shadows. And somehow, he had been dragged into it.

Vieira clenched his fists. "So what now?"

Ryo sighed. "Now, you make a choice. You've seen the truth. You can walk away, so that we either wipe your memory or kill you... or you can learn how to survive in this world."

Vieira exhaled... "Wait what....!?", his head spinning. Before he could utter another word, the rooftop door suddenly swung open.

"Ryo!" A sharp voice called out. "You were supposed to wait for me!"

Vieira turned toward the entrance as a girl stepped into view.

She was his age, wearing a dark blue modified Exorcist uniform, with sleeves rolled up slightly and a high collar. Her long, dark green hair was tied into a loose ponytail, and her expression was a mix of annoyance and exhaustion.

Kenji groaned. "Ugh. Took you long enough."

The girl shot him a glare. "Not my fault you couldn't handle a Shadow alone."

Kenji scoffed. "I handled it fine."

"Oh, sure. That's why you're covered in blood and half-bandaged like an idiot."

Vieira watched the exchange, confused. "Uhh....Who is she?"

Ryo adjusted his glasses. "Aya. The third member of this rookie team."

Vieira blinked. "Wait… What? Where was she this whole time?"

Aya rolled her eyes. "I was busy on another mission across town. Unlike Kenji, I actually finished mine quickly."

Kenji scowled. "Tch. Whatever. Not like yours was hard anyways....."

Vieira frowned. "Then how did you know we were up here?"

Aya sighed, crossing her arms. "After my mission, I got a report that a Shadow was attacking civilians near a school..... yours. By the time I got here, the fight was already over, and I tracked Kenji's soul energy up to the rooftop. Simple, really."

Vieira hesitated. That actually made sense. But something still didn't sit right with him.

Aya stepped closer, inspecting him. "So. You're the reckless idiot who tried to punch a Shadow?"

Vieira crossed his arms. "And you're the last-minute backup?"

Kenji burst out laughing. Aya raised an eyebrow before smirking. "I like this guy."

Vieira exhaled sharply. "Look, I still don't get why I have to be part of this. Cus I never said I was joining."

Kenji smirked. "And yet, you're still here listening."

Vieira hesitated. They had a point.

Ryo finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Look, you're already involved, Vieira. That Shadow reacted to you. It recognized something. If you don't understand what's inside you… you'll never be able to protect yourself. Or the people around you."

Silence filled the rooftop.

Vieira exhaled. He knew Ryo was right. He had seen the horror with his own eyes. He couldn't just walk away.

Finally, he looked at Ryo. "Alright. Teach me."

Ryo gave a small nod. "Then welcome to The Order."

End of Chapter 1