When the stars align on the horizon, in the third blink of the solar, a soft and caressing voice whispered to me, "They stole my precious child..." It left my heart shattered into ten pieces. The shadow cast, its looming presence covered my entire being, as I cried and crying, my tears falling like as blue drops into the void of nothingness. Even my cure purple moon turned into a deep shade of dark red... So, I granted her one of my children - my beloved tear.Recorded At Third Blink, Esta.
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In the wide, burdened dark land under heavy rain, a young man stood with a dirty shirt and tattered hands and feet."Huff, huff… Finally… I'm free." After a long run in the storm, he was trying to catch his breath. "Goodbye, damn prison. I swear on my life I'll never see your black wall again!" He exclaimed.Eighteen years…Damn, I spent eighteen years in that dark and oppressive jail. He unjustly cursed for committing no sins only because the Church had filled the continent with fanaticism and blind faith.But now he was free, and no one could take that back from him."I should find a place to stay for tonight and then plan my journey north. True freedom lies ahead." He glanced down, noticed his legs trembling. Please hold on a little longer.Should he take the road? No, the jailers would have already noticed his absence. Perhaps they had even sent the Church's judgment after him.He looked back to see if anyone was following him, but there was nobody there."Nah… I'm just being paranoid. It's been an hour and this heavy rain has washed away all traces." He said as swept his leg along the ground, attempting to erase his tracks in the rain.Unfortunately, the world has treated him poorly.A figure stood on the hill. Full black rainy-cloaked blended with the dark rain sky. Its eyes shimmered with an eerie blue glow. Gazed at him.Thunder! Lightning shone the sky. Two shadows collided on the ground.He startled, and his legs stepped back. What on earth! Those eyes were frightening. You gonna kill me with that stare? Jailor, or a judge?"Who are you?" The Cloak-man asked, sound blurred with rain.He doesn't recognize me. He's not a jailor. "I'm nobody, just lost on the mountain. Do you know how to get out?""Lost, here? Again! Who are you?" Cloak-man eyes glowed brighter.Thunder rumbled, its voice creeped into his heart. The prisoner stayed silent.What is this situation? How can I escape? What should I do? He knocked on a shaking leg, fighting back his fear.Cloak-man lost his patience. "No answer? Fine! I'll find it myself." He then pulled out a majestic book from under his cloak. Church symbols and magic crystals adorned the book.When the prisoner saw the book, his senses returned. I knew that book. It was the holy book. This book had the power to assess anyone's karma on this continent. He rubbed his wrist, which bore a black angel tattoo, a prisoner's mark. It connected to the holy tower system, which judged all rules and laws without testimony. The Cloak-man is a Saint who possesses God's whisperer.His eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope. I still have a chance. Out of everyone, I am the luckiest one. This opportunity belongs to me alone. Karma has no control over me. He stared at the holy book as adjusted his legs. When the Whisperer uses the book, I will create a distraction and run as fast as I can.The book activated and emitted a soft glow. It illuminated everything around. In this moment, he could see clearly. Within the cloak, there was a captivating woman. She had flowing hair and piercing eyes. She was adorned with a crusader's attire.His eyes widen The Whisperer is a woman. he raised his arms, "Though I may be a prisoner, I am not a sinner. Please, consider setting me free.""A prisoner, huh! Finally, you speak. Do you think I'm blind? I noticed your prison attire from the beginning, but now it's too late. Prepare yourself for punishment," she retorted. Pointing the book towards him, a bright light shone.A light beam shone on the prisoner, revealing his form. Child with long, wet hair obscured his face, dressed in worn-out clothes that were covered in age marks and had been repaired numerous times.A monotonous voice from the holy book declared, "Evaluate End, No Sin," causing her beautiful brow furrowed in confusion.Thunder! A flash illuminated the dark world.With lightning speed, the Prisoner dashed. Where should I go? The forest on the right, or a vast glassy field on the left. He veered his body to the right. Hah! Into the woods is always the best choice. I can use the dark shadows and create false trails."Stop!" She reached hand out, but her legs stood still. "Why Holy book evaluated 'no sin', everyone in continent should have one guidance at least send the word free, compensate, or death… Besides that." She gazed at the tattoo on his wrist. Black angel."Cursed...? You are the Cursed child!" Her eyes widened in shock. "You were born in The Prison." watching him disappear into the woods. She bent her knees, swoosh, dashed off, and sprinted right after.Swoop, Thud, Thud, Thud. He dashed through the forest, his head lowered, evading the protruding tree bark. "Yes, it's me. My whole life, people have been calling me the 'Cursed child.' But I want you to understand that I'm not a monster. I'm a little different, nothing more!" His voice echoed through the wood as he sprinted, causing branches to snap create the trail. He then veering left and then turning right. discovered a gap between a fallen tree trunk. He pressed himself as closely as possible against the tree. Turned himself into shadow.The sound of human gave back to nature, only a faint heartbeat of a tiny child in the wood. Rain poured down on the damp and puddles, with every drop reflected the lonely soul of his.Just gotta think, think, think, my self. What that crazy priest babbled on about their saint, their god's whisperer. First, avoid fighting. Do not retaliate. God will judge your sins immediately. Second, they have to follow the Holy Words of the whisperer's book. What was the last one? I can't remember. The last…Splash! Splash, thud, thud, crack. The sound of footsteps vibrated through the damped ground."Reveal yourself. I am aware of your presence." Voice boomed.Hah. Seriously? Are you a rookie? If you talk like that, nobody's coming out. Gotta do something to get her outta here. He picked up a rock, aiming it at a cluster of trees far away. For the good karma of my last life, please get hit. Then he hurled it.As if the sky answered his thoughts.Thunder! light shone on the sky.Crack! The stone hit its mark.A group of birds suddenly cackled and flew out of the forest. A flash of lightning appeared, casting their shadow that seemed to be moving as if it were alive."So, you were there." Without hesitation, she darted towards that path, disappearing deeper into the forest, unaware of the man hiding between the tree.Gradually, he emerged from his hiding spot, his gazed shifting to the vast, grassy fields. As he took in his surroundings, I can't stay in the forest any longer. She will search every inch of this dense forest. With no choice, he made his way in the opposite direction.Despite the dampness and the rainstorm battering the field of tall grass that lay ahead, it seemed like the perfect hiding place. Its height could easily conceal a little man, and with that in mind, he crouched down as low as possible and started moving. I hope the grass will hide me as I go.Time seemed to crawl by, each second feeling like a rat spun on the endless wheel. It rolled by, with seconds evolving into minutes, and minutes stretching into an hour. The rain poured down. Thunder boomed from time to time.I'm safe. What a scare! My heart feels like it's about to shatter. He raised his head to look around. He picked the wet rock and rubbed it between his fingers. Why did she come around here? In such a deserted area. Was she here to complete a quest or to slay monsters? Is she working alone? That's weird. Maybe her comrade is nearby.But his train of thought couldn't last long. His body trembled as he heard a thunderous voice booming from the sky."I have found you, cursed child!" The Whisperer shouted. She lowered her hood. With a stern expression and piercing eyes, she stared at him. Rain poured down on her face, and her wet hair stuck to leaves, obscured her face. She appeared like a creature from the depths of the forest.Curse me! She also can fly too. That is not fair. I'm a prisoner, never even considering or attempting to reach the sky. Yet you possess the ability to fly.He rose his hands up, "I have done nothing wrong. Please spare me," he pleaded. But his message couldn't reach her. In fact, it only provoked more anger within her."You tricked me into that forest, isn't that enough? And that black angel of you..." Her eyes shone, the air and rain swirled around her. She drew a clean and sturdy sword from its sheath. Cling! cling, cling, Raindrops touched the blade and flowed along it, causing the sword to gleam, eager to slice through its target's skin. She tightened her grip on the sword, preparing to strike.Their gazes locked. Fine! Let's fight. Not only do you possess a skill.Even though I have been cursed since birth, I survived by consuming spoiled food and fighting in a colorless world where I couldn't experience smell or pain. the Prisoner clenched his teeth and tightened his fists. However, I firmly believe that I still have the right to live.Swoosh! The blade moved, causing the air to cry out.As the blade approached, he said. "Eyes of seeking truth, The Verity Eye." A vibrant voice resonating with the rain. In his gray scale world, a faint blue line appeared, the trace of mana. He could see through it. The blade was about to swing towards his head. He ducked.Swish! The blade swept past the tip of his hair, leaving half of the grass field shaped into a cone.Saint's eyes widened in surprise, yet she regained her composure. She turned her hand and slashed the blade in a vertical line.Prisoner deftly shifted on his toes, avoiding the blow and suffering only a small tear in his shirt.Swoosh! Swink! Her blade continued to slash back and forth, causing the grassy field to become a chaotic mess. Yet, his body only suffered minor injuries. Move evenly to dodge every blade.Kneeling, she spun her body and aimed the blade at his lower knee. The grassy field was shaped like a circle, like a moon.He jumped back, evading the blade.She lunged forward, raising her sword and splitting the rain into two separate streams.He tilted his head, seamlessly blending his body with the movement of the blade, narrowly evading a cut that could have grazed his forehead. His shimmering blue eyes were momentarily visible. He fell to the ground, rolled, and swiftly dashed left.She hastened her steps, following his movement. Gripping her sword handle tightly, water covered the blade, vibrating with a blue hue. Then, with full force, she lunged her sword forward, creating a tunnel of water.Swoosh! A rock flew through the air, Twink! grazing the blade. "Whisperer, you're breaking the law! You're not following the holy book, and you're harming innocent people!" Sound echoed in the rain.The blade stopped inches away from his forehead, cut his bang hair as the wind gently brushed his hair back. In that fleeting moment, a translucent force field materialized, shielding them from the rain. With unwavering focus, his piercing blue eyes looked onto hers, shimmering with a water reflection."How do you know our law?" She questioned, giving him an icy stare.Drip! drop, patter, patter, patter, the sound of rain filled back to the area. Both of their eyes locked onto each other.Prisoner has no answer.Patter, patter, rain played their song and the thought of aria whispered about his life.His eyes have a rare blue hue, scarcely seen in this western land. It is a unique trait found on the east coast, just like me, just like my family and my country. That they all have perished under the castle.Her sword lowered down.The fear reflected clearly saw in his eyes, as I observed the small body in front of me. He looked so lonely, as if he had no hope or future.Raindrops softly touched her hand. They were as cold as her blade. But gentle compared to his eyes.Where is he coming from and what condition he was in? Sword in her hand trembled in confusion. I pray for the river mother. I really want to know this."Who are you?" she said with a clear voice, hoping for answers that could dispel her doubts.However, before receiving a response, the prisoner ran away again. "I already told you. I'm just someone who has lost the way. Just let me go!""Running again?" She furiously slashed through the tall grass, venting her rage. I need to control myself, Took a deep breath, signed. She then ran after him.The child dashed ahead, his small body struggling to climb the large rock. His tiny fingers grasped at the rocks, causing blood to seep from his wounds. "Please, let me go," he pleaded with a trembling voice.Are you dimwit? If you said that, no one will not let you go. They will only pursue you further, trying to uncover what you're hiding under your tattered dress and that dark blue eyes hidden in your messy black hair.She touched the rock with her hand and jumped, following him. "How do you know about our laws, about the saint's law? Tell me.""I don't know! I just want to go home.""You were born in jail, that is your home…" she said. She quickly bit her lip. Regretting her words. What have I just said? I'm such a fool.The child at the front, He groaned in pain as his foot stepped on a sharp rock. The red blood on his black nails blended into his trail, turning the dark brown into a black crimson. Even on this rainy day, I could see it. His breath grew shallower and slower. The air in his lungs was waning.Not long…"You have to stop—" she said."No! I don't want to go back," he refused, continuing to run for his life without even glancing back at me. Sorry, He wasn't aware that I already remembered his scent. Blood and fear.As he ran, his left leg lost balance, causing his body to tilt. Bruises covered him, the red of his blood lost its vibrant color. Now it's even clearer than a raindrop. The cold temperature bit at him within, exuding a scent of fear and approaching death, as if it comes from the last air of people's lives.Not long, he will stop soon…Both of them sprinted and chased each other through the grassy field, their movements twisting and turning aimlessly.In the dark night, the only audible sounds were the rumbling clouds, the patter of rain, and the footsteps of the two souls. One soul shone brightly like a star, while the other welcomed death with open arms.Saint had no words, only running in pursuit.No star adorned the night sky.No guiding light to be found on both. Only our shadows intertwined within the dark world.Relentless rain poured down, seemingly mocking his life. Yet, in his little dark blue eyes and in his young mind, he remained still, watching and holding onto hope from a distance.How far does she want to follow me? My lungs and feet were reaching their limits. He knocked on his legs while running. Just a little longer, my body, hold on… The grass field ended ahead. Maybe I could find something useful.But as he reached the endpoint, frustration washed over him. Damn! Again and again, why do these things always happen to me?Ahead of him, a cliff loomed with no escape. He stepped towards the edge, peered down, and gnashed his teeth. It's just death. Only a path to the hell that awaits me in that dark eerie pit.He turned his head back to the grass field and saw Whisperer walking slowly, like death, approaching him. Her hand gripped a sword. Blue mana waved like a surf.Ta-thump! Ta-thump! His heart raced, but his body grew colder.Is this my end line? Should I jump or fight until the end? I am so miserable. Either way, death awaits. Curse me!"A cliff, huh?… no more running?" she said with a clear voice. Raindrops was hanging there and slowly turned into water spheres.What had happened? Why had her tone suddenly shifted? It felt different, filled with concerns."You shouldn't run anymore. You're only making things more difficult for yourself… Death, It's calling you."Ah… She pities me. He gazed at her intently, as if attempting to capture every detail, realizing that she might be the last person he encountered in this miserable life.At least, I want to see you for the last time.Then, he softly uttered, "Eyes of Verity," Glowing mana emanating from her.As she walked towards him in the monochrome world, traces of mana connected and formed letters, flowing out one by one to weave together above her head.The words Vow of Temperance. shone brightly over her head.Suddenly, triggered a rush of information in his brain. A picture of a blurred priest appeared, saying, 'The Last, they believed in The Vow, never breaking it, even if their lives were on the line, because they were the spoken of Holy Tower.'Vow! Vow! I remember now, his inner insight rang.He glared at her in his tranquil state.She approached and stopped five steps away before saying, "Let's talk—"His eyes glowed, his body stopped trembling. He sat with one knee up and both hands resting on it. "I, Rain, the cursed child, will make a vow!" His voice echoed into the sky.She was taken aback, shocked.The rain stopped as if responding to its own name, 'Rain,' as if a master had called it back.