Red Death S1

EXT. FOREST CLEARING – DUSK

A waterfall tumbles in the distance—soft, rhythmic, the sound of the world breathing. Mist clings to the grass like a veil. Shafts of fading sunlight pierce through the canopy, painting the trees gold.

A lone tree stands near the water—tall, weathered.

Ryu sits in its branches.

One leg dangling. One arm resting on his knee.

Still. Silent.

His eyes scan the horizon.

Not at peace.

Just... alert.

Always.

A bird chirps nearby.

Ryu's gaze flicks to it.

Then back to the water.

He doesn't blink often.

Yizo (light, teasing):"Trying to pretend purity, are we?"

Ryu doesn't look.He doesn't need to.

A shimmer in the air—and Yizo appears, cloaked in a long black coat, his hair falling like silver smoke, his eyes glowing faintly.

He walks through the mist as if it bends around him.

Yizo (smirking):"The whole waterfall… the lone tree… the tortured hero on a branch. You're really selling the image."

Ryu (flat):"It was quiet."

Yizo steps to the base of the tree, glancing up.He's not mocking anymore.

He's… studying.

Yizo:"You haven't slept properly once since I met you."

(beat)"You lean. You close your eyes. But you're still listening. Always listening."

Ryu (quiet):"What makes you think i'll be safe during my sleep?"

Yizo nods.

Slowly.

He doesn't laugh this time.

Silence.

The waterfall keeps falling.

Ryu says nothing.

Yizo sighs, stretching his neck.

Yizo (more serious):"This'll be the last time we speak for a while."

Ryu looks down now.

Ryu:"Why?"

Yizo (tired smile):"Keeping my presence active to speak to you for this long is draining my mana, I been awake for almost 11 years , watching you and caring for you"

(beat)

"You've pushed me beyond my limit. Even I need sleep now."

Ryu (quietly):"You sure you'll wake back up?"

Yizo grins—sharp and knowing.

Yizo: "I'm not dying, idiot. Just sleeping.. I'll wake. But when I do… I hope you're not dead."

Ryu (dry): "Same."

Yizo's smile fades.

He looks at Ryu for a long moment.

Yizo (soft): "There's something inside you. Not just need for revenge. Something more emotional. I don't know where it leads yet."

(beat)

"But if you lose yourself before we find out… this whole world might burn for nothing."

Ryu finally blinks.

A slow, tired blink.

But still doesn't rest.

Yizo: "When you need me—truly need me—I'll know"

Yizo turns, fading into shadow and light.

His voice echoes once more—faint now.

Yizo (gentle, almost human):"Try to sleep, Ryu. Just once."

Silence returns.

Ryu sits alone.

Ryu:

"Why do you have to leave too.. just like the rest."

He closes his eyes.

…

For a moment.

They flick open again.

Still watching.

Still listening.

Still alive.

He jumps down from the tree—quiet as falling ash.

The grass bends beneath his feet.

He walks to the water.

Kneels.

Looks into his reflection.

The man staring back at him has blood-red eyes, and a soul half-burnt to smoke.

Ryu (quiet):"Still me?"

The reflection doesn't answer.

But the ripples distort it—turn it into a beast.Then a boy.Then nothing.

He splashes it away.

Behind him—a voice.

Soft. Real.

Girl's Voice (gentle):"You talk to rivers too?"

Ryu freezes.

He turns—slowly.

There, standing at the edge of the woods, is a young girl—maybe twelve. Dirty cloak. Barefoot. Eyes too old for her face.

Ryu:"What are you doing out here?"

Girl (shrugs):"Looking for silence."

She walks to the stream. Kneels. Dips her hand in the water.

Girl:"This place is peaceful right."

She looks up at him.

Girl:"Are you scared of nightmares, too?"

Ryu (quiet):"No.."

The girl tilts her head, thoughtful.

Girl:"You look tired."

He doesn't respond.

She reaches into her cloak—pulls out a small Black charm. Worn. Hand-carved.

She places it on a stone beside him.

Girl:"It's for people who can't sleep. My mother used to say it catches bad dreams."

Ryu stares at it.

Girl (smiles faintly):"Even people with fire in their eyes need to rest."

She turns. Disappears into the trees.

Ryu doesn't follow.

He doesn't question it.

Maybe she was real.

Maybe not.

But the charm remains. Ryu looks at it. Picks it up.

This time… he leans back against the tree. Still alert. Still listening.

But—His hand rests on the charm now. His breath slows.

And for the first time in years—He closes his eyes. Fully. Silence. The moon rises higher.

And Ryu, for a moment the world forgot, is just—A boy beneath a tree.