The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but Kento's mind drifted far from the present. As he walked beside Rena, memories flickered like shadows at the edges of his thoughts, drawing him back to a time long forgotten yet painfully vivid.
"Are you okay?" Rena asked, her voice cutting through the fog of his memories.
Kento took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just… thinking about my past."
"Do you want to talk about it?" she offered gently.
He hesitated, the weight of his memories pressing down on him. "When I was a child, my village was destroyed by a dragon."
Rena stopped, concern etched across her face. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Kento looked away, focusing on the ground beneath his feet. "It was a bright day, much like this one. I remember playing with my friends, laughing without a care in the world. But that day, the sky turned dark, and the ground shook as the dragon descended."
He paused, the pain of that day resurfacing in his heart. "It roared like thunder, a sound that echoed in my mind even now. The dragon unleashed flames, engulfing everything I loved—my home, my family, my friends. I could only watch as the fire consumed my world."
Rena stepped closer, her hand reaching for his. "You didn't have to face that alone. You were just a child."
"I was helpless," Kento replied, his voice strained. "I couldn't save anyone. That day marked the end of my childhood. After the ashes settled, I wandered, searching for peace, hoping to forget the pain. But every time I close my eyes, I see the destruction. It haunts me."
Rena's grip tightened on his hand. "That's why you want to travel, isn't it? To escape the memories?"
Kento nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I thought if I kept moving, I could leave the past behind. But it's always there, lurking in the shadows, reminding me of what I've lost."
She stepped in front of him, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You don't have to face this alone anymore, Kento. I'm here for you, and together, we can confront the shadows of your past."
He felt a flicker of hope igniting within him, but doubt lingered. "What if I can't move on? What if the past consumes me?"
Rena smiled softly, her eyes filled with warmth. "Then we'll face it together. You're stronger than you think. The bond we share can help you heal."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow around them, Kento felt a surge of determination. "Maybe it's time to confront my past instead of running from it. I can't let it control me any longer."
Rena nodded, her expression resolute. "We can start by visiting your old village. It might be painful, but it's the first step toward finding peace."
Kento took a deep breath, feeling a sense of purpose rekindle within him. "You're right. I need to face it."
Hand in hand, they continued their journey, the path ahead uncertain but filled with newfound resolve. Kento knew that confronting his past would be no easy feat, but with Rena by his side, he felt ready to reclaim the pieces of himself that had been lost.
As they walked, the forest around them transformed. The trees whispered secrets of resilience and strength, reminding Kento that even the darkest memories could lead to brighter tomorrows.