Tashi went about his usual work in the fields, but his mind kept circling back to the strange encounter with Amara earlier.
I wonder what that was about… I hope everything is fine.
"Tashi."
Tashi turned, confusion tightening his brow.
"Daichi? There you are—listen, Amara was look—"
"Tell the women and children to evacuate. Arm the men. Eldrida will be attacked today."
The tool slipped from Tashi's hand and hit the dirt with a dull clink. His eyes widened, mouth agape. "What…? Daichi, what are you talking about? Attacked? That's impossible."
"I know it sounds insane," Daichi said, calm but urgent. "But we don't have time. Trust me. I'll explain everything once it's over."
Tashi hesitated. Doubt clung to him like fog. This village had always been peaceful—untouched by war or violence. But Daichi's eyes—cold steel. Steadier than Tashi had ever seen.
"…Alright. I'm on it."
It has to be connected to Amara's panic this morning…
He turned to run, but Daichi called after him, "One more thing. Do you happen to know where Dan is?"
Tashi paused. "He left this morning with his family. Won't be back 'til tomorrow. Guess luck's on his side, huh?"
Daichi's jaw clenched.
Dan… so it really was you.
I'll be here tomorrow. I won't die. I'll wait for you. You won't run from this—not again.
And with that vow, he turned to prepare for what was coming. A storm of steel and shadow was already brewing.
***
"Are you sure?"
"I'm telling you, there's a girl in Eldrida. She's not normal. She has… a special power. I'm sure it will benefit you."
The man across the table leaned back, folding his hands.
"If you're right, you'll be set for life. I'll send a team. They'll move at night. You'd be wise to stay far from Eldrida. Dan."
"Of course, ****."
***
Time passed.
And then the sun fell.
A hush wrapped the village like a funeral shroud—thick, suffocating, final. Even the wind dared not speak. Only Daichi stood at the village gates, blade sheathed, his heart pounding like a war drum.
One… Two… Three—
Boom.
The explosion ripped through the treeline. Smoke surged like a living beast, swallowing the village whole. Out of the blackness, three figures stepped forward, draped in dark robes and armed to kill.
"Well well," one said. "He was waiting for us?"
Daichi's heartbeat sharpened into a blade of its own. His instincts screamed—danger, death, blood.
He was surrounded—one in front, two behind.
Daichi held his sword tightly.
The one ahead has a dagger. The others—unarmed? No. They're hiding something.
I strike first.
Daichi lunged forward. A clean strike aimed at the man in front.
But the man vanished.
Daichi blinked. Spun. The others behind him—gone too.
Not fighters… Assassins.
Clack.
A sudden, searing bolt in his gut. He looked down. A blade. Buried deep.
He roared. Spun wildly—his sword singing as he forced the attacker to retreat, leaving the weapon in his flesh.
Daichi dropped to one knee, gasping.
Am I not even worth a fight…?
The smoke began to thin. Shapes emerged.
They were surrounding him, blades raised.
I can't block them all—
!!!
Suddenly, one of them screamed out.
"Jump! Now!"
The voice cracked like thunder. The assassins leapt instinctively.
Too late.
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip—
A barrage of arrows rained down in perfect synchronicity, landing in every direction around Daichi—missing him by inches, striking everything else with terrifying precision.
Figures emerged from the shadows of homes and alleyways. Ten—no, fifteen young men. Swords in hand. Bows drawn. Their eyes steady.
"What the hell is this?! Boss, this wasn't supposed to happen!"
"It wasn't what we were told!" one of the assassins muttered. "How did a mission to abduct one little girl turn into a full-fledged war?!"
"It doesn't matter," the leader growled. "We're not leaving empty-handed. We bring the girl with us… or we die right here and now."
Tch.
They charged, splitting apart.
Daichi readied himself again—but he wasn't alone this time.
Two figures appeared beside him.
"Stark. Spike."
Twin brothers. They were young, barely out of training. But their blades didn't shake.
They moved in sync, like mirror images forged for the same storm.
Daichi ripped the dagger from his stomach. Blood followed, his body screamed, but he ignored it.
Pain is nothing. I have to fight.
He threw the dagger at the one who seemed to be their boss—it missed—but forced the enemy into a trap.
Two blades came from either side.
And then, Daichi's own sword—straight ahead.
He was cornered.
"You're ours!!"
Suddenly, blue light burst around his hands—shaping into shining silver knives. He blocked the two swords coming from the sides. But he couldn't fully dodge Daichi's in time.
Blood exploded from his side. He stumbled back, barely staying on his feet.
Daichi moved to finish him—until screams broke behind him.
"The others! They're going for the archers!"
He turned—but too late.
Two of Eldrida's swordsmen who were left behind to protect the archers were already lying in their own blood. The archers—their next targets.
Daichi tried to run—but collapsed.
Everything is... spinning. Is that...?
Poison… Of course it was poison.
His limbs refused to move. The world blurred.
"Stark! We have to help them!" Spike shouted, sprinting toward the danger.
Daichi turned his head. The assassin he struck now slumped beneath a tree—panting, but still alive.
They were both dying. Both couldn't fight.
Daichi tried to keep his eyes on him.
Just a little longer.. I'm sure she will be here soon.
And then—
A voice pierced the dark.
Soft. Familiar.
"...Fa…"
Daichi's heart stuttered. Even now—That voice could reach him.
"Father!!"
Amara.
But… why is she alone?
Where's Kaida? Why isn't she with her?
She ran to him, tears flooding her eyes, heart breaking with every step. She screamed—a raw, aching sound that shattered the night.
The assassin spotted her too.
"It's her. She matches the description."
With the last of his strength, the assassin flicked his wrist—an almost invisible wire zipped toward her leg.
Daichi couldn't see clearly.
And yet, somehow—he noticed.
"No! Amara, run!"
He couldn't move. Couldn't speak. But then—how was his body reacting?
''This...''
In her mind, a memory returned. Distant. Sharp.
This moment… feels familiar.
She stopped.
She looked down. There was blood on the stone. A body shielded her.
Daichi reached for her— But his arms refused.
His vision flickered.
The blood wouldn't stop.
And the light in his eyes—
Faded.
His heart slowed.
Slower.
And slower.
Until—
it stopped.