Kazuki sat beneath the glowing sapling, its ethereal light casting soft shadows across his face. The whispers that had stalked him earlier were faint now, reduced to a distant murmur. Despite the momentary respite, tension coiled in his chest like a spring.
Kazuki(thinking): It's never this quiet for this long. I guess something's waiting.
The sword across his lap pulsed faintly, as if echoing his unease. He turned it over in his hands, tracing the runes etched along its surface. They shimmered with a faint blue light, their glow pulsating in rhythm with the spark in his chest.
Kazuki: "Guess we're stuck together, huh? You don't talk, but you've got a way of making yourself heard. Which is kinda cool and I appreciate it... especially in times like this."
He rested his head back against the sapling, staring up at the shattered sky. The stars above were dim and scattered, as if something had siphoned their light.
Kazuki(softly): "Aya... Ren... are you looking at the same stars? Or am I already too far gone?"
The thought sent a pang through him, but he pushed it aside. If he dwelled on the ache of separation, he'd lose what little focus he had left.
---
A rustle broke the silence. Kazuki froze, his fingers tightening around the hilt of the sword. The glow of the sapling wavered, flickering as if reacting to the disturbance.
Kazuki(thinking): Not again.
He rose slowly, every muscle in his body taut. The shadows beyond the clearing shifted, moving unnaturally against the faint light.
Kazuki(whispering): "Come on, then. Let's get this over with."
The figure that emerged wasn't what he expected. It was tall and cloaked in flowing garments that shimmered like liquid silver. Its face was obscured, but its eyes glowed faintly, not red like the creatures he'd faced before, but a soft, calming blue.
Kazuki: "Who—no...what are you?"
The figure tilted its head, its gaze piercing yet unreadable.
Figure: "You carry the spark. It hums with an untrained rhythm, yet it endures."
Kazuki(frowning): "You sound just like the other guy, cryptic and frustrating. Can't anyone here just give me straight answers?"
The figure's eyes softened, a faint smile tugging at the edges of its concealed face.
Figure: "The spark seeks growth, but growth comes only through trial. Would you prefer a path free of challenge?"
Kazuki(sarcastic): "Honestly? Yeah. A quick tutorial and a shortcut home would be great."
The figure chuckled, a sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze.
Figure: "The world does not bend to desire alone. You must earn your way back."
Kazuki(sternly): "Back to what? My friends? My home? Or am I just stuck here until some 'trial' decides I'm worthy?"
The figure stepped closer, its presence both comforting and overwhelming.
Figure: "Your path is not confined to this realm or your own. The spark within you connects to something greater. Protect it, nurture it, and you may find the answers you seek."
Kazuki(gritting his teeth): "That doesn't help me now."
The figure extended a hand, pointing toward the sapling.
Figure: "Light is a fragile force, yet it perseveres even in the darkest places. Take this fragment of light—it will guide you."
---
The sapling's glow intensified, its branches trembling. A small orb of light detached itself, hovering in the air before drifting toward Kazuki. He hesitated, staring at it as if it might burn him.
Kazuki: "What happens if I take it?"
Figure: "It becomes part of you. A shard of clarity amidst the haze. But with it comes a burden. Are you prepared to bear it?"
Kazuki: "I don't think I've got a choice, do I?"
The figure inclined its head.
Figure: "Choice is an illusion for those who hesitate. Act, and the path will reveal itself."
Kazuki reached out, his fingers brushing the light. Warmth surged through him, filling the void left by fear and doubt. For a moment, everything was silent—no whispers, no creaking shadows—just the steady hum of the spark and the light intertwining within him.
The orb dissolved into his chest, merging with the spark. A wave of clarity washed over him, and he stumbled back, gasping.
Kazuki(softly): "What... what is this feeling?"
The figure began to fade, its form dissolving like mist.
Figure: "The Keeper awaits. Follow the light."
Kazuki: "Wait! Who's the Keeper? Where do I—"
But the figure was gone, leaving Kazuki alone once more.
---
The clearing felt different now, less oppressive. The sapling's glow had dimmed, but its presence remained steady. Kazuki looked down at his hands, half expecting them to glow, but they were unchanged.
Kazuki(thinking): So, I've got some kind of light power now. Great...just great. Let's hope it's more useful than it sounds. I would appreciate sth or someone that would aid me rather than drag me down in this..God knows where in existence.
He turned toward the path ahead, the faintest glimmer of light visible in the distance.
Kazuki(quietly): "Huuuuu~Guess that's my cue."
The shadows around him seemed to stir as he moved, but they kept their distance, wary of the newfound light within him.
Kazuki(thinking): Whatever's out there, I'll deal with it. I have to if I want to know what's going on or get the hell outta here.One step at a time kazuki, one step at a time.
The city stretched before him, its ruins both daunting and beckoning. Somewhere within its depths, answers awaited. Surprisingly,for the first time since his arrival, Kazuki felt a sliver of hope, not just for survival, but for understanding the strange force guiding him. What is awaiting for him, what is he meant to do, what answers are seeking for him to be discovered. Kazuki finally felt that at least he gets to do something with a purpose although entirely unintentional and kind of forced. He was satisfied temporarily.
Kazuki: "Aya, Ren... I'm coming back. No matter what it takes."
The spark pulsed in agreement, and Kazuki marched on, his silhouette swallowed by the shadows of the crumbling city.
---To be Continued---