Heretic of the Shadow Blade

The air whistles, sliced apart by flashes of punishing Light. Two translucent violet blades of pure, tangible darkness flicker through the air. A few moments of furious scuffling, the quiet hiss of steel—and an elite squad of Inquisitors lies defeated. The last of them, breathing heavily and clutching a wound, stares in horror at the figure in the black mask.

— You truly are a monster... Heretic of the Shadow Blade!

He is not allowed to finish—a shadow blade puts an end to the struggle. The skirmish is over. But in the depths of the alleyway, a mysterious pink-haired girl flickers into view. She watches the scene intently, but upon meeting the gaze of the mask, she quickly retreats and dissolves into the darkness. Who is she? An Inquisitor, or a mere witness?

A week passes. A school field trip to the old city library. Amidst the endless shelves and the rustle of pages, a familiar image appears. In the distance, between the bookshelves, those same pink locks flash by. Fleeing to the old summer house is the only right decision.

A wooden fence, silence, and an empty yard. It seems there is no pursuit, and peace reigns all around. But a sudden gust of wind forces you to turn around. Incredible speed—and that same stranger from the library suddenly pins you against the fence, blocking any path of escape. Her cold, piercing gaze studies every detail.

— So, you are the Heretic of the Shadow Blade? — she asks coldly, making it clear she expects an answer right this instant.