Shadow Skill TV Anime Series Episode 1 – Synopsis Cast of Characters: Elle Ragu - 59th sevalle of Kuruda Gau Ban – her adoptive brother Folli Brazmetizer – Sui Reme King Iba Stola – 55th sevalle, King of Kuruda Crimson Kai Shinks Scarface Vy Low – 57th sevalle Teaser: Opens with the moon moving away from across the surface of the sun – tail end of a solar eclipse. Narrator provides a description/narration of what a sevalle is. Elle is shown in a competitive/duelling sequence, emerging triumphant. (Opening Credits) Act 1 Gau is acting as the “beast of burden” for Elle and their mutual belongings. They are on their way to Kuruda when, from their vantage point on higher ground, they see a merchant caravan under attack. As the attack progresses, a blond-headed man is seen slinking around behind one of the wagons, muttering something about “not wasting his life to help”. He is being shadowed by Folli. The merchants are fighting to protect a special cargo, when one of the wagons turns runaway and starts heading down the mountain road in the direction of Elle and Gau. Elle jumps onto the wagon as it passes below them and starts fighting three men with swords. Gau plays back-up and pursues the wagon on horseback. Elle manages to shatter the swords of the bad guys, then jumps off the wagon and stops its wild ride with her bare hands. Gau and Elle are taken in by the merchant caravan, and Gau introduces himself and Elle to the caravan master. He explains their brother/sister relationship, even as Folli recognizes Elle (“just don’t interrupt my work”). The caravan master explains that they are carrying food for the demon beasts who will appear at the Kuruda fighting festival, as well as general merchandise. Gau is about to explain their financial situation when Elle shuts him up. Act 2 The caravan resumes its journey and enters Kuruda. The blond man from Act 1 is still slinking around, Folli keeping a close watch on him. The caravan gets its first view of the Colosseum, and are suitably impressed. Elle is discovered peacefully lazing against a barrel and Gau prods her into doing the work they were contracted to do – to deliver food to the demon beast barns. Here we get to see how Elle tries to avoid any form of manual work – Gau acts as her conscience, reminding her of the debt that they must pay off, and reluctantly Elle gets herself moving. The Demon Beast Unit “Phantom” arrives in the city with a new capture. The caravan owner explains to Gau and Elle that the special unit is made up of people trained to capture demon beasts. These people are called septia. This is our introduction to Kyo, who is seen riding at the head of the column of septias. Scene shifts to the Kuruda Colosseum. Someone is pointing out the statues of the 57th sevalle, Scarface, and the 55th sevalle, King Iba Stola, in a kind of “tourist guide” spiel. We get to see a glimpse of the sevalle statues as the spiel goes on. The blond man, still watched by Folli, pauses at the pedestal of the 59th sevalle and studies it carefully. In the throne room of the palace, the King receives a report from Crimson and Scarface. None of them are mentioned by name – but Scarface is easily recognized by the mark on his cheek and the King because he is obviously the one in charge. There are intimations of a disaster threatening the Holy Country of Ashlianna, and Kuruda is located in the very front line of this unknown threat. That night, the blond man is seen standing in front of the demon beast cage. The beast assumes attack mode, but is subdued as the blond man stares at him. At this point, Folli reveals herself. Act 3 The small son of the caravan master is bragging about how Elle rescued them, obviously quite impressed with her fighting skills. Elle tells him to hush; when the boy talks about how his dad is no match for a sevalle, Elle launches into the real meaning of strength – that it is not a muscular body or raw power, but the courage to stand up for those you love at a crucial point in time, in order to protect them. The boy seems taken aback by Elle’s vehemence and the moment is broken as his mother bustles him off to bed. Gau reminds Elle that they still have work to do, even though she could be a good preacher. The caravan leader explains that he wanted to be a sevalle but had no talent for it, now he’s a merchant but could hire as a mercenary for the military in case of any trouble. He talks about how some are able to become sevalles for their own sakes and not because they have someone to protect out of love – like a bird that flies alone. Elle grows thoughtful at this, and the caravan master continues that this is the reason sevalles are expected to impossible things, as a proof of their lives. Another merchant calls the sevalles the “pride of Kuruda”. When the caravan master wonders aloud what kind of person the next sevalle will be, and wanting to see the outcome of the Festival, Elle seems uneasy/guilty. While delivering food, Gau/Elle discover that the caravan master’s son has sneaked out to follow them. They allow him to come along. In the meantime, Folli is questioning the blond man if he is a Suluothan spy. He refuses to confirm his identity or purpose; so Folli states that his mission is to confirm or kill the 59th sevalle. In response to his challenge if she is a spy-hunter for Kuruda, Folli draws out a talisman (“Red Sparkle”) and reveals herself as a Sui Reme Talisman sorceress. Elle and Gau arrive at the demon beast barn at this point. As Elle opens the door of the barn, she is caught in the backlash of the talisman’s power, and we have a light moment as she gets covered in soot, complains about the ruin of her hair, and demands to know who is responsible. Recognizing Folli, Elle accuses her of an unfair attack, and Folli retorts that there is danger present. The demon beast cage collapses and Elle wades straight into the fight scene. Gau rescues the awestruck caravan master’s son just seconds before the escaping beast’s tail hits the spot where the boy was standing. Act 4 The boy’s mother reports his disappearance to the caravan master, as well as her fears for him in such a big city at night. The caravan master promises to search for the lad, assuring his wife he’ll be all right. General mayhem is ongoing at the demon beast barns, as Elle sets other beasts free with her missed blows at the loose beast. As Folli keeps an eye on Elle, Gau sees the blond spy leaving the scene and confronts him, quickly asking Folli to keep an eye on the little boy. Folli warns Gau that the spy is also a powerful Reme. The spy/Reme appears mildly surprised at the appearance of so much opposition to his plans, but feels confident that he will eventually win. He releases the power of a lion demon beast from his arm and sets it on Faury and the boy. Faury evades the beast, in a move that takes her and the boy out of range and leaves the beast facing Gau head-on. She reassures the boy that all will be well; when asked if she knows Elle and Gau, she answers that they have been stuck together for a reason. A light moment occurs when the boy asks Folli what that reason might be, and when Folli doesn’t immediately answer, calls her “Aunty” – Folli does not like the idea that she’s “that” old. Gau sets himself into motion, using the Shadow Skill Sword technique against the demon beast. He manages to knock out the Reme, but when Gau demands the recall of the other demon beast opposing Elle, he is told nothing can stop it. The beast takes Elle for a wild ride; and as Gau, Folli and the boy flee from the interior of the rapidly destroyed barn, the kid stops to watch. He is nearly hit by a flying boulder, which is split apart by one blow of the caravan master’s fist. As father and son speed to a safe corner of the courtyard, the son voices his awed reaction to his dad’s skill and is told “It’s because I’m protecting you, my son…” The septia squad comes running and we spot Kyo again, and the captain of the squad, who looks very much like the King. Gau sets himself up against the beast again but is warned away by Elle, who calls out that his technique won’t work. The septias are about to move in to help when the captain holds out his arm for them to stop. He calls their attention to the mark on Elle’s arm – the Kuruda sevalle crest. The spy/Reme realizes that his target has been under his nose all along. Folli calls out to Elle not to dare die until she’s paid back her entire debt. Elle calmly asks Faury not to ruin the moment and announces her identity for the first time. Elle uses the same Sword technique as Gau, but with more power. The caravan master explains that the power lies in the spirit of the words being spoken, increasing her metabolism to maximize the body’s capacity – the genuine martial language. The demon beast is killed, and the caravan master and his son are duly impressed. Scene shows the father and son staring at the dead beast, with Kyo in the background. Folli and Gau bring Elle back to reality by reminder her of the additional debt incurred by the damage caused by the fighting, and when Folli asks what happened to the earlier prize money, Gau dryly announces that Elle had drunk it all. Someone (Scarface?) is watching in the background as Gau tells an impatient Elle that she has to win the festival, no matter what… (Closing Credits)