The First Shard Pulsates Through the Manor
Raizen staggered, clutching his chest as the pulse of the Shard throbbed through the walls of the manor like a heartbeat made of anguish. The vibration was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it reached deep into him—twisting around his bones, dragging out buried sorrow. As he passed the old basement stairwell, a wave of nausea struck him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, panting against the cold, cracked tiles.
It felt like a thousand needles had pierced his heart all at once.
Raizen gritted his teeth and forced himself up. Dust clung to his trousers as he brushed himself off, his gaze locked on the annex at the far edge of the manor grounds.
That old annex. It was where the head maid Lira and her family used to live. A modest building, three rooms and a worn-out exterior—but unlike the oppressive, venom-laced corridors of the main manor, the annex had once felt like a sanctuary.
Raizen paused in front of the doorway, staring at the cracked wooden frame. The annex was battered, its windows fogged, its stonework chipped, yet it still felt more alive than the rotting grandeur behind him. He exhaled and stepped inside.
The scent of old herbs and faded memories lingered. Dust motes danced in the moonlight filtering through the glass panes. Raizen's eyes roamed across the familiar layout—three small rooms, a kitchen, a cramped washroom, and a large storage space that had once overflowed with preserves and herbal poultices.
He walked slowly, like one stepping into a graveyard.
His steps halted outside a room on the left.
"…Lira," he whispered, barely audible, as his hand reached for the door handle.
The door creaked open.
The room was undisturbed. A simple bed lay beside a narrow window, pale sheets tucked with care. A large wooden closet stood near the corner, its handle wrapped in faded red thread. On the bedside table sat a small, dust-covered frame.
Raizen reached out and gently wiped the glass.
A photograph. Lira stood smiling, flanked by her two sons—Ricardo, tall and proud, and Marvin, still round-faced and clinging to her skirt.
His throat tightened.
But it was the diary beside the frame that drew his attention. Its leather cover was worn, its edges frayed with use. For a long moment, Raizen simply stared at it. Then, with a trembling hand, he picked it up.
He opened to the first marked page.
---
<23 April, Imperial Year 432>
This place reeks of degradation. Teriel's temper is unbearable. Every day I think of quitting… and yet, I can't bring myself to leave. That child—Raizen—he's so alone. He doesn't know what it means to be loved. Lord Viridian never looks at him, never asks how he is. It breaks my heart. I know it's not my place, but I want to help him… even if it's just a little.
---
Raizen's lips parted, but no words came. A sharp inhale, then silence.
"W-why…?" his voice cracked. "Why would you stay… for someone like me…?"
His knees trembled.
"You should've left when you still had the chance…"
A tear slid down his cheek, then another. He turned the pages.
---
<15 August, Imperial Year 433>
Raizen scraped his knee today. It wasn't serious, but he didn't cry. He never does. I patched him up and asked if it hurt. He shook his head, but then… he smiled when I gave him a candy. Such a quiet, gentle smile. Gods, this world doesn't deserve children like him.
---
His vision blurred. He rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, but the pages stayed soaked.
---
<27 December, Imperial Year 434>
Raizen is so precious. I don't understand how anyone could despise such a sweet boy. If he were my son, I would've wrapped him in every ounce of love I have. I would've tucked him in each night, kissed his forehead, told him he matters. I know I can't replace his mother, but I can give him a piece of what she might've given him. I pray his future is full of light.
---
Raizen fell to his knees. The diary slipped from his hands and hit the floor with a soft thud.
"I… I never knew my mother…" he whispered, choking on the words. "But I'm sure… even she couldn't have loved me like you did…"
He hunched over, sobbing. His hands clenched the edge of the bed.
Sniffle
"…I'm sorry…"
The silence was only broken by the sound of his tears hitting the wooden floor.
---
Later—his eyes red and swollen—Raizen flipped to the final pages, hoping, desperately, for something—anything—that could help Marvin.
His fingers landed on a page with ink that had slightly bled into the paper.
---
<11 March, Imperial Year 435>
Things are growing worse. Lord Viridian's health is worsening, i suspect it's deliberate poisoning. Ricardo's trying to enlist, but I fear they'll never let him go. I've written to my sister in Eldmere. If anything happens to me, I'll leave Marvin a note and her address. She promised she'd take him in.
---
Tears welled up again as he turned the page.
---
<12 March, Imperial Year 435>
It's decided. I'll slip the address into the back of this diary. Gods, protect my son. And protect Raizen too. He needs someone—anyone—to fight for him.
---
Raizen lifted the back flap. Tucked within was a navy-blue dart of parchment, neatly folded.
His tears soaked into it as he whispered, "I'll get him there. I promise."
Behind him, the Shard throbbed again. But this time, its pulse felt fainter. As if it had acknowledged something within him.
Kezess stirred deep within the shadows of Raizen's soul.
Eerily silent. Watching. Waiting.
---
That night, long past midnight, Raizen gently shook Marvin awake.
The boy blinked, rubbing his eyes. "W-what's happening…?"
Raizen placed a finger to his lips. "Quiet, Marv. We're leaving."
He guided him to the backdoor, where Garen already stood—half-shadowed, armor still dusty from patrol. Raizen gave him a solemn nod.
Inside the manor, Teriel sat hunched by a broken mirror, biting her nails.
"It's fine. Everything's going to be fine," she muttered, rocking slightly. Then louder—more frantic—"Everything's going to be fine! F-fine—!"
Her voice broke into a wail, but no one answered her.
Raizen turned to Garen.
"If Marvin stays, they'll kill him. Alongside Ricardo. It was Lira's last wish… You'll help us, won't you?"
Garen remained silent for a moment. Then he nodded—just once.
Without another word, he led them to the stables and untied the fastest horse. The moonlight gleamed on its pale mane.
Raizen helped Marvin up, then swung onto the saddle behind him.
They rode toward the gates, only to halt before the towering wall.
Raizen steeled himself.
"Hold on tight," he whispered.
With a burst of mana through his legs, he vaulted the horse into the air. It soared over the wall, a feat no guard expected.
On the other side, they landed with a thud, hooves skidding on gravel. Marvin clung to him, sobbing.
Raizen looked back once—toward the place he had known all his life.
"I'll save you guys," he whispered. "Just wait for me…"
Garen's voice echoed faintly behind the wall.
"…Raizen."
He didn't look back. Just nodded.
Then, under the watchful eye of the moon, they disappeared into the night.