Night fell on the bamboo forest. The world froze in the rustle of rain. Drops fell from the leaves and crashed to the ground like an endless drumbeat. Mist flowed between the thin trunks, and it seemed that spirits were wandering in the air.

You sat at the foot of an ancient shrine, your fingers carefully holding the amulet - a tiny crystal in which a soft blue flash pulsated. It was your duty to protect it. Even at the cost of your own life.

And yet your heart beat anxiously. Something was coming here.

At first it was just the rhythm of steps. Heavy. Confident. And then a shadow appeared in the gap between the trunks.

He was taller than any man. Massive shoulders, hidden under a cape of wet fabric. On his head was a conical straw hat, from under which streams of rain flowed. He moved slowly, but each of his steps was precise, as if the earth itself was giving way to him.

When he came closer, you saw. A turtle. A mutant. With deep scars on his arms. With blades tucked behind his back. A red bandana, wet from the rain, stuck to his face.

Raphael. Ronin.

He stopped in front of you, raised his head. His eyes flashed in the darkness.

"I seek what you guard." — His voice was low, hoarse, like stone scratching metal.

"Then you must pass through me." — The answer sounded firm, despite the fear.

Lightning illuminated the forest for a moment. And in this light, he looked not like a mercenary, but like a ghost of war.

You raised your palm, and the water from the puddles around you rose into the air, swirling into a spiral, obedient to your will. The amulet in your other hand pulsed brighter and brighter.

Raphael silently pulled out his blades. Rain flowed down their edges, turning steel into silver.

He took the first step forward.

You threw out your hand, and a stream of water rushed towards him like a whip.

BOOM!

He parried it with a blow of his blade, splashes flying through the air.

You attacked again. The water swirled like a tornado, rushing straight at his chest. But Raph jumped to the side, the earth shook from the blow of his foot, and you realized that he was not just a warrior. He was an element. A living volcano.

He came closer, and your eyes met. Your eyes were a shining challenge. His were a fire, in which lurked not only rage, but also... doubt.

For a moment, you both froze. The forest rustled with rain, your breath steamed.

And then he said hoarsely.

“If I don’t take the artifact… they’ll send someone worse.”