Tatsuya's eyes remained dim as he waited for any response from his bond with Yuki, his frustration growing with the eerie silence. He glanced at the demi-human girl who sat calmly nearby, watching him. She wasn't quite what he expected from the hostile group that attacked him and Yuki, and her composed gaze and regal presence had an air of mystery to it.
Guess I'll chat a bit while waiting, he thought. Can't get worse than being chained up. His gaze roved over her features, studying her curiously: soft pink hair that darkened at the tips, eyes a bright violet—striking against her wild, yet calm expression. And perched atop her head were… bear ears? They looked soft and oddly familiar, a reminder of Yuki's own twitchy rat ears.
She raised an eyebrow, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Done staring yet?"
The words hit him like a splash of cold water, and he turned away, cheeks flushed. Her smile widened at his reaction, leaning in slightly, eyes glinting with a spark he hadn't noticed before. It was playful yet intense, as if she were far more wild at heart than she was letting on.
"Well then, let me introduce myself properly," she said, a formal tone softening her words but barely concealing her natural boldness. "Kiyara, Princess of the Vrythak tribe, at your service."
Tatsuya's eyebrows lifted slightly. "A princess?" He almost sounded impressed, though he kept his expression guarded. "Then maybe you're more reasonable than those barbarians who attacked us." His voice hardened. "Which raises the question… why did they?"
At his sharp tone, her bear ears twitched. She straightened, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Those hunters have two purposes—to gather food and to defend the tribe from any threats. Monsters are a danger to us all." She eyed him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "But discovering that you're Soulborne… now that complicates things, doesn't it?"
Tatsuya met her gaze, gripping the blanket tightly as he searched for his words. This is the first person I've actually met here, so it's best to keep it vague. He narrowed his eyes. "Alright, I keep hearing that word, Soulborne, but this is my first time meeting anyone in this world." He let the words hang, watching her reaction as he chose his next words carefully. "So, what exactly is it?"
Kiyara laughed softly, her tone both thoughtful and teasing, as though he were walking into her own private joke. "Soulborne are monsters who have evolved to gain not just intelligence, but human form, a soul… and sometimes, a very annoying self-confidence," she added, a glimmer of humor in her eyes. "It's rare for a Soulborne to evolve so directly. They usually have to forge their way with strange powers or symbiotic relationships."
Her words lingered, stirring something in Tatsuya. He kept his face neutral, though his fingers clenched on the bed's rough blanket. She's not wrong, he admitted. Yuki only evolved after taking the black path. Me? I'm just some mummy with no reason to speak.
He scratched at his neck in frustration, yet his lips twisted into a grin. With a theatrical gesture, he pointed at her, an air of playful defiance in his voice. "What can I say? I'm just built different."
The statement struck her like a thunderclap, and suddenly Kiyara burst into laughter, her hands gripping the chair's arms as she nearly toppled out of it. She laughed freely, her bear ears twitching in response, her composure melting away to reveal a playful, carefree side. Tatsuya found himself staring, mesmerized by her uninhibited reaction, feeling his face warm as he watched her.
Why am I noticing this? he thought, looking away, blush creeping up his neck. I should be focused on Yuki.
To shake off his thoughts, he yanked the chains around his wrists, the loud clink breaking the room's silence. Her laughter quieted, and she watched him with that half-wild look, an approving gleam in her eyes.
"Right," she said, regaining her balance and standing up. "Time to let you out, I suppose." She reached over, wrapping her hand around the chain. A strange blue light shimmered around her hand, a bit like water yet somehow different, tinged with something ancient and unexplainable. With a single squeeze, the chain links snapped apart, pieces scattering on the floor.
Tatsuya's eyes widened. "Wait, what kind of magic was that?" The words rushed out before he could help it. "It looked like water magic, but… more mystical somehow. Is it… part of your Soul Tapestry?"
The questions came all at once, unfiltered. When he realized his eagerness, he clamped his mouth shut and forced himself to look away. Kiyara's lips quirked as she took his arm, pulling him to his feet.
"Please," she said, dragging him forward as she headed for the door, "I'm not even talented enough for magic. But our tribe does have something special—a weapon against magic itself." She opened the door with a flourish, her voice growing softer, almost reverent. "We call it… Nyren."
Outside, the scene sprawled before him like something out of an untouched dream. Tatsuya's gaze swept across the lively village as he and Kiyara stepped down the wooden steps and onto a wide, bustling path.
Wooden huts of all sizes were spaced throughout the village, their structures organic and rough-hewn, with roofs thatched from tall grasses and branches. All around, demi-humans of every variety filled the narrow pathways: some with cat-like features, others with horns, tails, or feathers. Even the children ran past him, laughing and playing, oblivious to the otherworldly guest in their midst.
In the distance, a massive lake stretched out, its surface glimmering under the sunlight with an almost mystical radiance. Giant brown birds circled overhead, each ridden by a demi-human scout who handled their creatures with ease, guiding them in smooth arcs above the village.
Now this, Tatsuya thought, unable to keep his grin from spreading, this is what a fantasy world should look like. He pumped his fist in the air, and in his mind, a quote from someone he couldn't quite remember surfaced: This is what I live for!
Kiyara turned, one eyebrow raised, clearly amused by his enthusiasm. "You're… not quite what I expected," she said with a laugh. She glanced toward a smaller cabin by the lakeside. "But if you think this is impressive, you might want to brace yourself. Your friend is safe, and you'll feel better once you see her."
He followed her as they wove through the village, his thoughts returning to Yuki, making him pick up his pace.
The cabin she led him to was almost identical to the one he'd woken up in, though it was slightly bigger and surrounded by tall grass. Kiyara opened the door, and Tatsuya's eyes immediately locked onto a small figure within.
There, at the center of the room, was Yuki. Her small form stood firm, her gaze fierce as she glared at the demi-human warriors encircling her. She didn't flinch; her tail twitched with tension as she watched them, her entire posture like a coiled spring.
"Yuki!"
At his call, her ears perked up, her hardened expression melting instantly. She dashed toward him, leaping into his arms with a soft, relieved squeak. "Master! You're okay!" Her voice quivered, and she buried her face into his chest, holding him tightly. "I was so worried… I thought…"
Her words faded into choked sobs, her frame trembling as she slumped against him, her hands clutching his cloak as though he might vanish. Tatsuya sank down beside her, wrapping his arms around her as her small figure nestled against him. He felt the warmth of her trust, something that stirred within him an unfamiliar sense of purpose.
When I first met her, he thought, I didn't know what to make of her. Just a creature bound to me by chance. Yet now, as he felt her heartbeat against him, a fierce protectiveness sparked to life within him, something deeper than he'd ever known.
Reaching up, he gently lifted her chin, his gaze meeting hers with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. With his other hand, he brushed away her tears, his voice calm yet filled with conviction. "You don't have to be afraid when I'm here, Yuki. I'll always be here to protect you—even if I'm not the perfect master."
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening as she pressed closer, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you… Master."
As she buried her face into his shoulder, Tatsuya held her close, the two of them surrounded by the quiet murmurs of the village, the world outside faded into the background.