The sun rose over the small village, casting its golden rays through the dense forests and over the mountains that kept the village hidden from the rest of the world. The village buzzed with life, its warmth and vitality almost palpable even from afar.

  Atop a large hill overlooking the village, a boy and a girl sat side by side, their legs dangling freely as they gazed down below. The boy, his brown shirt fluttering in the breeze, stared out with wide eyes, captivated by the scene before him. The sunlight hit his face, and his eyes sparkled as they caught the golden glow. A wide grin spread across his face, his wonder evident.

  The girl, watching him, smiled too, her blonde hair whipping around her face in the wind. She squinted slightly, raising her hand to shield her blue eyes from the sunlight. The boy, lost in the moment, didn’t seem to notice the wind tugging at his hair, his expression only growing more radiant.

  Her gaze lingered on him, her hand slowly drifting across the soft grass toward his. She hesitated, then gently grazed her fingers over his before she firmly clasped his hand in her own.

  The boy, still gazing ahead, didn't react—his expression unchanged as he slowly tilted his head toward her, as if unaware of the warmth of her touch. She met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. The world seemed to quiet around them for a moment, leaving nothing but the soft whisper of the wind.

  Then, in an instant, the boy jumped to his feet, his face flushed a deep red. He pointed at her but couldn’t seem to find the words. She stifled a giggle, her hand pressed over her mouth, trying not to laugh. His attempts to speak came out in jumbled, awkward bursts. Before he could say anything more, she couldn’t hold it in any longer and collapsed onto the grass, laughing uncontrollably.

  The boy’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as he sputtered, “Oi, y-you... you she-devil!” He yelled, trying his hardest to mask his embarrassment with a louder voice. He pointed again, his words growing more frantic, but it did nothing to stop her from rolling around in laughter, clutching her stomach.

  Finally, after a moment, the boy huffed and turned his back to her. His embarrassment had reached its peak, and he refused to face her for another second. The girl wiped the tears from her eyes, slowly sitting up.

  “Your reactions are too good, Hiro. You can’t expect me not to tease you,” she teased, still catching her breath.

  Hiro didn’t turn to face her. Instead, he puffed out his cheeks, pouting in silence. The girl, noticing this, couldn’t resist a smug grin. She took a step closer, but before she could say anything, she hopped onto his back with a burst of laughter.

  “Hey!” Hiro protested, trying to shake her off, but she clung to him tightly. Their playful struggle carried on, the two rolling around on the soft grass until, in a swift motion, the girl shoved him backward.

  Without warning, Hiro collided with someone. He winced, groaning as he slowly got to his feet. He looked up in a panic, but the young girl was already bowing deeply, hands pressed together in apology.

  “I’m so sorry! We didn’t mean to... p-please don’t tell my mother!” she cried, bowing repeatedly at the feet of the stranger.

  Hiro’s eyes widened as he stood beside her and joined in the apology, though his voice was a little more uncertain than hers.

  For what felt like an eternity, the man stood silently, his gaze fixed on them. The two children exchanged confused looks, unsure of what was going on. Neither of them knew how to break the uncomfortable silence, but finally, the man smiled warmly, placing his hands on both of their heads.

  "Take care of one another, okay?" His voice was kind and soft.

  The two stared at him in surprise, unsure of what to say. The man chuckled gently, then added, "Wouldn’t you say it’s time for some food? Your mother’s probably waiting for you.”

  The weight of the moment finally lifted, and Hiro’s smile returned. He nodded, grabbing the girl’s hand. Without another word, they dashed down the hill, leaving the man behind. The young girl struggled to keep up, but Hiro’s laughter echoed through the air as they raced through the village.

  The village was alive, the people chatting and laughing as they went about their daily lives. Hiro and the girl sprinted through the narrow dirt streets, waving at those they passed.

  “Wait, Hiro!” the girl gasped, struggling to catch her breath. She dropped to her knees, clutching her side as she pointed at him, still panting.

  Hiro stopped and turned, confused. They stood there in silence for a moment, the girl trying to recover her breath. Finally, she managed to regain some composure, glaring up at him.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” she shouted, her face flushed from the effort.

  Hiro blinked, tilting his head slightly, unsure how to respond. The girl huffed, clearly frustrated, and climbed onto his shoulders. She sighed dramatically.

  “Now, you can go,” she said, relaxing as she settled there.

  A woman stood by the entrance of the house, eagerly awaiting someone's arrival. She tapped her foot in anticipation, her long black hair flowing behind her, though it was hard to miss the striking white streaks running through it. Her eyes, a deep black with flickers of white glistening within, sparkled just like Hiro’s whenever he smiled.

  She watched, a wide grin spreading across her face, as Hiro raced through the village, the young girl perched on his back. The pair was coming straight for her, their figures growing larger by the second. Hiro’s face lit up, and he waved enthusiastically, his usual excitement contagious.

  With a smooth stop, Hiro skidded to a halt right in front of her. The young girl slowly slid off his back, but before either of them could say a word, the woman lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around them. Her cheeks fluttered as she squeezed them both, her joy overflowing.

  Hiro struggled, trying his best to break free, his face turning bright red with embarrassment. The young girl, on the other hand, embraced the moment fully, burying her head into the woman’s chest.

  Eventually, the woman released them, and Hiro immediately jumped back, his face flushed and his voice faltering.

  “M-Mom, what are you doing?!” he stammered, his hands still slightly raised in defence.

  The woman raised an eyebrow, her playful annoyance evident. “What am I doing?” she echoed dramatically, shifting into an exaggerated posture of despair. “My son no longer loves me!”

  Hiro sighed and walked past her, heading toward the house. The woman stood there for a moment, her expression blank as she stared after him. The young girl chuckled awkwardly at the sight.

  The woman’s gaze softened as she looked at the young girl, her smile returning with warmth. “Will you be joining us again, Kyoko?” Her voice was gentle, and her dark eyes met Kyoko’s blue ones, the contrast striking. Yet, there was nothing but kindness in the woman’s gaze.

  Kyoko hesitated, her cheeks tinged with pink. “I… no, I think my mother will be waiting for me,” she said, her voice soft.

  The woman’s expression shifted into one of strange disappointment, her lips curling downward. “Well, that’s too bad,” she murmured.

  Just as Kyoko turned to leave, the woman suddenly placed both hands on her shoulders. “You don’t want to spend some time with your future mommy?” she teased, her voice full of mischief.

  Kyoko’s face turned crimson as steam seemed to rise from her head in embarrassment. The woman, delighted by the reaction, squealed in excitement, her hands clapping together in glee. “SO CUTE!” she exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

  But when she opened her eyes, Kyoko was already gone.

  The woman blinked in confusion. “She escaped… but no—”

  A man’s hand settled gently on her shoulder. “You’re being weird again, Hatsuho,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of amusement.

  Hatsuho sighed, her playful expression fading as she allowed herself to be guided back inside by the man. He was blonde, with short, spiky hair and a bit of stubble on his chin. As they entered the house, they saw Hiro already seated at the table, eating his breakfast.

  Hatsuho watched him for a moment, smiling fondly as he chewed slowly. He suddenly stopped, feeling her gaze on him. He looked up, his expression awkward, as he met his mother’s eyes.

  She smiled at him, and the silence stretched for a moment before he cautiously went back to eating. Hatsuho settled back in her chair, her eyes never leaving him.

  “You know,” she said, her voice soft, “you used to let me hug you all the time.”

  Hiro looked at her, confused. “Eh?”

  His mouth was full, and he spoke around the food. Hatsuho, with an equally full mouth, continued. The man sitting between them rolled his eyes in annoyance, clearly unimpressed by the muffled conversation.

  He cleared his throat.

  When they ignored him, he coughed louder.

  Finally, after a few more ignored attempts, the man groaned. “Chew first, speak second!”

  The two turned to him in shock, swallowing their food before responding.

  “Did you even chew at all?” Hatsuho asked, raising an eyebrow. Hiro’s face mirrored his mother’s confusion.

  The man sighed and slouched back in his chair, clearly exasperated. But his agitation faded when Hatsuho’s face softened once more, and her gaze grew serious as she stared at Hiro.

  “All I’m saying is that it sucks that you’re growing up,” she said quietly. “But you know what?”

  Hiro, sensing the shift in tone, looked up in curiosity. “What?”

  She smiled warmly, her eyes shining with a quiet depth. “You could be the worst man on earth… the evilest, the angriest, or the laziest, but you will always be loved.” She reached out and placed a hand gently on his.

  Hiro blinked in confusion. “What?”

  She jumped up from her seat, her hands on her hips. “I just professed my motherly love to you, and all I get is a ‘what’?” She mimicked his confused expression, making him even more perplexed.

  He stared at her, his face blank.

  Hatsuho sighed, sitting back down. She leaned forward and patted his head. “But I need you to promise me something…”

  Hiro tilted his head. “What is it?”

  Her expression turned serious again, and she glanced toward the window, where a house stood, isolated and quiet. Turning back to him, she locked eyes with him.

  “Can you protect that girl?” she asked, her voice low but intense.

  Hiro blinked, confused. “That girl… Kyoko?”

  She nodded.

  He looked at her for a moment, still unsure, but then he nodded. “Of course I will.”

  Hatsuho’s serious expression softened, and she pulled him into a tight embrace. “I love you, Hiro…”

  He scrunched up his face, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah, yeah, I know already…”

  She hummed, completely unfazed by his protests. “I don’t care if you’re 25. I’ll always cuddle you,” she teased.

  He groaned, resigned to his fate as his mother held him in her arms, content and satisfied.

  Kyoko stood at the door of her home, the air around it darker than usual, thick with tension. Her breathing was slightly heavier as her hand trembled on the doorknob. She hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing the door open, the creak of the hinges slicing through the silence.

  The dimly lit living room greeted her, empty and still. The table sat lifeless in the center of the room, a dark and desolate place. At the base of the stairs sat a woman with long blonde hair and the same piercing blue eyes as Kyoko. She didn't look up as Kyoko entered, her posture stiff, her gaze fixed elsewhere.

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  Kyoko sighed softly as she walked past her, her footsteps echoing in the quiet. But then, the stillness was broken by a harsh, quiet voice.

  “I told you to stop being around those people…”

  Kyoko froze in place, her heart skipping a beat. She swallowed hard, the lump in her throat growing. The stairs creaked behind her as the woman stood slowly, her presence heavy and suffocating.

  “Well? Aren’t you going to listen to your mother?” the voice rang out again, colder than before.

  Kyoko couldn’t bring herself to meet her mother’s eyes. She stared at the floor, her body tense, the weight of her mother’s anger pressing down on her.

  The woman’s hand came down firmly on Kyoko’s shoulder, pulling her back so their faces were inches apart. “Why aren’t you answering me?” she demanded, her voice a low growl.

  Kyoko’s breath hitched in her chest, and with a barely audible murmur, she whispered, “I’m sorry…”

  Her mother didn’t let go. She pushed Kyoko’s head forward, forcing her to keep her gaze on the floor. “What have I told you?” Her voice was filled with venom, sharper and more cutting than before.

  “I—” Kyoko started, but the woman cut her off with a sharp slap across her face.

  The force of it sent Kyoko stumbling to the floor, her cheek stinging. Her body trembled, and though the tears fell freely from her eyes, she never looked up, never dared to meet her mother’s gaze.

  The woman stood there for a moment, her hands outstretched as if to comfort her daughter. But they retreated before they could make contact, leaving Kyoko alone on the cold wooden floor. Her quiet sobs were the only sound that filled the room, her tears leaving faint marks on the floorboards.

  The hustle and bustle of the village contrasted sharply with the weight of the scene Kyoko had just left behind. Stalls were being set up around the village centre, the normally quiet place now full of activity, albeit temporary.

  Hiro stood alongside Hatsuho and his father, his smile wide as he looked around, waiting.

  “Shouldn’t she be here by now?” Hatsuho asked, tapping her foot impatiently.

  Hiro groaned and slumped against a nearby post. “C’mon, Kyoko! Hurry—”

  He was cut off by a gentle tug on his shirt. He turned, confused, and found Kyoko standing before him, her head hanging low.

  “I can’t come with you today…” Her voice was soft, almost drowned out by the noise of the market. “I’m sorry…”

  Hiro looked down at her, his brow furrowing with concern. There was something wrong, something heavy in the air around her.

  Hatsuho crouched down in front of Kyoko, her smile gentle. “Can I see your face?”

  Kyoko shook her head, her face still hidden from view. Hatsuho’s voice softened, and she reached out, placing her hand gently against Kyoko’s cheek. She lifted it slowly, revealing the tear streaks and the large bruise that marred her skin.

  Kyoko sniffed, trying to keep the tears at bay, but they kept coming, falling freely. Hiro took a step back, shock and confusion evident on his face. His father, Rean, placed a steady hand on his shoulder, holding him in place.

  Kyoko’s efforts to stop crying were futile, and Hatsuho, seeing the pain in her eyes, leaned forward and softly kissed the bruise on her cheek. She gently caressed the lump with her thumb, her expression softening as she met Kyoko’s gaze.

  “Is that better?” Hatsuho asked, her voice gentle but filled with a protective warmth.

  Kyoko nodded slightly, her sobs quieting just a little. She didn’t smile, but she looked up at Hatsuho with a small, grateful look in her eyes.

  Hatsuho stood up, her own expression darkening as she turned to look at Rean, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Rean sighed deeply, his voice tinged with sadness.

  Hatsuho squeezed Kyoko’s hand, guiding it into Hiro’s. She looked up at him, her eyes intense but soft, and leaned closer to his ear, whispering so only he could hear, “Remember our promise?”

  Hiro’s eyes widened, the sadness in his expression slowly shifting to a bright, glowing smile. He looked at Kyoko, his eyes full of warmth.

  “I’ll smile for the both of us today… okay?” he whispered back, his words a quiet reassurance.

  Kyoko nodded, though she didn’t smile. Hiro gently took her hand in his, and together they walked away, their steps in perfect sync.

  Hatsuho watched them leave, her heart heavy with worry and anger. Her eyes narrowed, the softness fading into a hardened look. Rean placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a concerned look.

  “I’m fine,” she said, brushing off his hand with a wave. She turned toward Kyoko’s house, her steps firm as she walked away.

  “I won’t do anything stupid… I promise,” she muttered to herself.

  Rean watched her go, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He turned his gaze back to Hiro and Kyoko, walking hand in hand. He chuckled softly, knowing that, despite everything, the two of them would find a way through it all.

  Hatsuho stares down at Kyoko’s mother as she sits on the wooden steps of the house, her face is one of anger and hate, the woman stands to lock eyes with Hatsuho

  “there she is… the monster”

  Hatsuho steps back, trying her best to hold in her feelings “you hurt her again…”

  the woman clenches her teeth in frustration “I’m not going to take parental advice from a mu-“

  Hatsuho takes a step closer clearly scaring the woman slightly “You aren’t fit to be a mother… your child should be everything to you”

  the woman scoffs “you and your idiot son make m-“ Hatsuho grows angry, her gaze becomes piercing, she stares straight through Kyoko’s mother completely unnerving her

  “Don’t talk about our son…”

  The woman takes a step back before swallowing in nervousness “our? You and that monster? Or you and the man they fo-“Hatsuho grabs her dress and pulls her close, she clearly holds back her anger before slowly releasing her,

  the woman breathes heavily in pure fear “you really haven’t changed have you?” Hatsuho takes a deep breath before holding her head.

  the woman takes a step backwards catching her breath before Hatsuho turns away “Just… don’t do it again” she slowly walks away as the woman wipes the sweat from her forehead.

  The woman slams the door behind her, she slides down the door with her face in her hands, the darkness surrounds her. The slight glimmers of light from the covered windows peer in to see the woman crawled up in a ball against the cold door, she lets out muffled crying.

  Hiro pulled Kyoko around the stalls, his attention focused on her. Her face slowly began to brighten, a smile returning to her lips. He didn’t give her a second to remember the large bruise on her face.

  Rean strolled alongside them, grinning. They continued walking until Kyoko’s eyes widened at the sparkle of a nearby stall. She stopped and stared down at a necklace, mesmerized by its beauty.

  Rean put his arm around Hiro’s shoulder, pulling him in until their cheeks were nearly touching. With a mischievous grin, he whispered, “Don’t you think she’d appreciate a necklace?”

  Hiro raised an eyebrow, scoffing. He shrugged off his father’s arm.

  “I’m 14. I don’t have any g—”

  He froze as a bag of gold suddenly appeared in front of him. His mouth dropped open in shock. Just as he reached for it, the bag slipped away.

  Rean chuckled, pulling Hiro back in.

  “I’d be happy to give you some gold...”

  Hiro swallowed, his eagerness for the next words out of his father’s mouth reaching a tipping point. But then his excitement waned as he heard, “But…”

  His face fell as his father placed the gold bag on his head.

  “You’ve got to make me a promise too…”

  Hiro scrunched up his face in confusion. “Another one?”

  Rean’s expression grew serious, his gaze locking with Hiro’s. “I want you to promise me that you won’t ever make your mother upset… that you’ll always be there for her…”

  Hiro chuckled lightly. “Isn’t that your job?”

  Rean sighed, standing tall. He placed the gold bag into Hiro’s hand before patting his head with a smile. “I know I can trust you, Hiro…”

  He walked off toward Kyoko, leaving Hiro standing there, looking down at the bag of money. He wasn’t sure what to do next. He turned his head slowly, his gaze falling on Kyoko. She was still lost in the necklace, her joy returning. Her smile, though bright, almost masked the large scar left by her mother’s hand.

  Hiro smiled slightly as he walked toward the stall, his thoughts lingering on his promise.

  Meanwhile, Hatsuho was walking towards the bustling centre of the village, her breaths staggered. The serious and angry look on her face softened when she saw Hiro and Kyoko walking out of the centre, heading toward their hill. She was about to call out when a hand caressed her shoulder.

  Startled, she jumped forward, then froze.

  A bubbly laugh followed.

  Rean’s voice broke the moment.

  “Hey, Hatsuho?”

  Her scared expression softened, and she slowly turned toward him. She embraced him, holding him tightly. He grew slightly embarrassed but didn’t pull away. Instead, he smiled.

  “Uh, Hatsuho?”

  Hatsuho pulled back slightly, looking up at him with grateful eyes. “Thank you…”

  Rean smiled warmly, pulling her back into an embrace. “I should be thanking you…”

  The night air was cool, and the gentle sway of the grass on the hill seemed to mirror the calm yet unspoken feelings between Hiro and Kyoko. The quiet village below, now filled with the soft glow of streetlights, had once been serene but now seemed almost surreal against the darkening sky. The only sounds were the rustling of the wind and the distant murmur of the village.

  Kyoko wiped a strand of hair from her face, the wind catching it just as Hiro turned to look at her. There was a strange stillness between them, and Hiro found himself momentarily mesmerized by her, unsure of what to say. Their eyes locked, and Kyoko felt her face flush under his gaze. The silence stretched, heavy and awkward, until she finally broke it.

  “A-are you just going to sit there?” she asked, her voice betraying her nervousness. Hiro hesitated before his fingers moved, pulling something out from his pocket. It was the necklace.

  He couldn’t meet her eyes, his face turning slightly away as his hand clenched tightly around the necklace, his breath shallow. Then, with a sudden movement, he thrust his hand out toward her, the necklace dangling from between his fingers. Kyoko flinched at the sudden gesture, but as the necklace dropped, it spun in the air, catching the moonlight and casting a shimmering glow across the ground. She watched, entranced by the delicate movement of the pendant.

  “H-have you taken it yet?” Hiro’s voice trembled slightly, the question escaping him more out of nervousness than intent. Kyoko could only stare at him, her heart beating faster with each passing second. Hiro, unable to bear the weight of her gaze, slowly turned his head and shut his eyes tight. Then, he cracked open one eye, only to find himself staring directly into hers again.

  A tear rolled down Kyoko’s bruised cheek, falling to the ground like a silent testament to the pain she’d endured. The sight caught Hiro off guard, his chest tightening as he fumbled for words. “Kyoko, I—”

  Before he could finish, Kyoko surged forward in one swift motion, throwing her arms around him. She buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "Thank you," she whispered, the words escaping in broken sobs.

  Hiro stood frozen, unable to process what was happening, his body stiff with surprise. He couldn’t find the words to respond, all he could do was stand there, letting her cry into him. His arms slowly came up, awkwardly at first, but eventually, he held her close, unsure of how else to comfort her.

  After a few moments, Kyoko pulled away, sniffing and wiping the tears from her face. She smiled softly, her fingers brushing against the necklace as she played with it absentmindedly, the memory of her tears already fading as the light in her eyes returned. Hiro sat still, still unsure how to react, his gaze distant as he stared out at the village, now aglow in the night. The wind brushed through the trees, carrying a sense of peace, but it couldn’t dispel the strange heaviness in his heart.

  Kyoko, still holding the necklace, leaned her head onto his shoulder, her body shifting closer to him until their forms were pressed together. Their silhouettes blended under the rising moon, the village lights fading into the background as the world around them seemed to quiet. Her soft voice broke the silence.

  “I want to marry you here…” she murmured, her words more like a prayer than a declaration. Hiro, still stunned, didn’t respond immediately. He could only stare at the horizon, a quiet promise in her words hanging in the cool air between them. A wish, a vow.

  Later, Hiro carried Kyoko on his back as they walked through the village. Kyoko’s smile was back, and it lit up her face, a stark contrast to the bruises still visible beneath her skin. Hiro could feel the warmth of her happiness radiating against his back as she nestled her cheek into his shoulder.

  As they neared Kyoko’s home, Hatsuho stood waiting by the door, her expression one of eager anticipation. She ran toward them as soon as she saw them, unable to contain her excitement. “Cute!” she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face.

  Her eyes then fell to the necklace hanging from Kyoko’s neck. Her cheeks immediately flushed with color, and she spun around in playful embarrassment. Hiro, grinning, rolled his eyes in mild annoyance, but he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

  “Alright, alright, we get it,” he muttered, but Hatsuho only grinned brighter.

  Hatsuho waved them off as Kyoko skipped toward her home, her joy lighting up the quiet streets. Hiro and Hatsuho exchanged a knowing glance before Hatsuho wrapped her arms around Hiro in a tight embrace. “M-mom…” Hiro groaned, his face turning red with the sudden affection.

  “I love you more than anything… I would never let anything happen to you,” Hatsuho said softly, her voice carrying a protective tenderness. Hiro looked up at her, concern flickering in his eyes, before his expression shifted to seriousness.

  “Mom…” he said, his voice quiet but firm. Hatsuho looked down at him in surprise. “I promise I’ll always protect your smile.”

  The words hung in the air between them, and Hatsuho was left speechless, her breath catching in her throat. Just as she opened her mouth to reply, a piercing scream broke through the quiet night.

  Both of them froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. Horror filled their eyes as Kyoko was dragged out of her house, men dressed in black armour with a red crest stamped on the back. They yanked her from the doorframe as she screamed, fighting against them with all her strength.

  Kyoko’s mother stood at the threshold of the door, crying, helplessly watching her daughter being taken away. She slumped to the ground, her hands grasping at nothing.

  Rean, who had been in the house, sprinted out, coming to a halt when he saw the scene unfolding. His eyes locked onto Hatsuho’s, both filled with panic and fear. His face turned pale as he realized what was happening.

  “Ha—” Rean began, his voice catching in his throat as he reached out toward Hatsuho, but before he could finish, the scream of a sword being thrust into his back echoed through the air. His body stiffened as the blood spurted from the wound. He looked down in disbelief, his hands trembling as he stared at the red that stained his shirt.

  His gaze slowly drifted upward to Hatsuho and Hiro, their faces pale with horror as they stood frozen, unable to move. Rean’s body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as a man in black armour wiped the blood from his sword, slowly raising his head to meet Hatsuho’s terrified gaze.

  A sharp silence followed, broken only by the sound of Kyoko’s distant screams, now lost to the darkness of the woods.

  Hatsuho's breaths became more staggered, heavier. That dark tint to her breath became darker, a slight black mist escaping her mouth. The white in her eyes glowed brighter.

  Rean slowly raised his hand, shaking, looking at his family.

  "Run..." he managed to whisper, his voice barely a breath.

  Hatsuho turned to Hiro, grabbing him and throwing him onto her shoulder. In a panic, she ran.

  She ran and ran, through the screams of pain, the calls for help. Hatsuho ran. Hiro could only watch as the body that was once his father became more distant. He couldn’t even manage to say anything. All that existed was silence, the horrors slowly hidden by trees.

  Hatsuho slammed into trees and branches, desperately trying to escape. As the moonlight began to show the way to a clearing, she collapsed. The two rolled into a small gap in the trees.

  They slowly stood, horror filling their faces as they looked upon a massive cloud of smoke blanketing the village. The screams of terror flowed with the fire, mixed with the rising smoke. To Hiro, it was all the same—a wave of noise, pain, and suffering.

  But just as the two started to process the terror, something else tore through the smoke.

  A massive blue light pierced through the haze. The smoke itself was blown away by the presence of the light. It was a dragon, a creature so huge it swallowed the sky.

  It wasn’t solid; it was made of mist—a dark blue, like the night sky. An aura. Much like the mist that had been leaking from Hatsuho during their run, but far clearer, stronger.

  Its eyes fixed on Hiro and Hatsuho, and suddenly, Hatsuho went limp. Her arms fell to her sides, as if she knew what was about to happen.

  "No..." she whispered, a tremor in her voice.

  The dragon rose higher into the sky, swirling through and around the clouds. It covered the moon, casting a large shadow over the world below.

  Then, it crashed down.

  The once bustling and joyful village was silent. Not even rubble remained to remind them of what once was.

  The dragon was no more. And neither was the village.

  Hiro sat, completely still, as Hatsuho struggled to get to her feet. The crashing waves of noise that once filled the air were replaced with complete silence.

  The only sound now was Hiro’s stuttering breath.

  His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. Slowly, Hiro turned to her. She smiled brightly, though her eyes were filled with despair.

  "Let's go..." she said softly, her hand trembling.

  Hiro grasped her hand, his own shaking.