The wind showed no sign of calming; on the contrary, it intensified, swirling around me and the girl in a cyclone of force. It felt as though nature itself sought to isolate us from the rest of the world. Each step I took toward her seemed to pull the spiraling wind closer, urging me onward yet tightening its grasp. As I approached, the light behind her illuminated her figure in striking detail.
Her long, white hair billowed wildly in the wind, a silver cascade that caught the moonlight and seemed almost alive, twisting and flowing like a spectral river, embodying both chaos and grace. Her blue eyes, gleaming like fragments of a summer sky, locked onto me with an intensity that was both ethereal and unsettling. She wore a flowing red dress with daring side slits, revealing long, slender legs. Bandages wrapped her left arm from elbow to fingertips, contrasting starkly with her smooth, unblemished skin. On her right hand, every finger bore a ring, each adorned with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer faintly. A single braid fell over her left shoulder, resting against her chest, while half-moon earrings dangled from her ears, catching the occasional glint of the surrounding light.
As I closed the distance, I heard her murmur, almost to herself, "Who am I? What is this place?" Her voice was soft but laced with confusion, as though she were searching for something—anything—to anchor her existence.
Before I could respond, she raised her hand, and a spear materialized within it. The weapon's shaft seemed crafted from pure light, its edge so razor-thin it appeared translucent. The spear emitted a radiant glow, and the air around it seemed to hum with energy. Without warning, she swung it toward my neck, her eyes flashing with a mix of determination and hesitation. For an instant, her expression wavered, as if some unseen force compelled her action against her will. The sudden motion left my heart pounding, the air between us charged with unspoken tension. My breath caught as I froze, the blade stopping mere centimeters from my skin. For the second time that day, I was staring death in the face.
She seemed as startled as I was, her confusion deepening. Her gaze flickered between the spear and me, as if trying to make sense of her inability to complete the strike. Seizing the moment, I willed myself to move and stepped closer. She hesitated, then attempted to punch me with her bandaged hand, but once again her motion froze mid-swing, the blow never landing.
"Is this some kind of safeguard?" I wondered aloud. "Because I summoned her?" Mental notes piled up: another question for that so-called god who had dragged me into this mess.
Just then, my phone chimed. I fished it out of my pocket, the screen displaying a notification: "You have one new message."
Opening it, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the sender: God.
"Dear Val, I see you've awakened your servant. That's good news, but I'm sure you have questions. Why doesn't she remember anything? Why can't she harm you? You've likely pieced together part of the puzzle by now. But this is just the beginning. Time to meet the other champions and uncover the truth. Come to Mykines. You'll find your plane tickets on your bed.
P.S. Stop worrying about me sneaking into your room."
I exhaled sharply, half in disbelief. "Great. Just what I need. A god who doubles as a stalker."
Returning my attention to the girl, I noticed her futilely trying to land another blow. Thankfully, she gave up and fixed me with an intense stare. "Why?" she demanded. "Why can't I hit you? Even a scratch… just one scratch…" Her voice cracked with frustration.
"My name is Val Oswald. I'm the one who summoned you, and as you've noticed, you can't harm me. So please, stop trying."
Her gaze narrowed. "You're the one who summoned me? A human, huh?" She spat the word like it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Yes, I'm the one."
"I hate humans," she declared. "They're liars, deceivers. They pretend to care, but deep down, it's always about their selfish desires. I've seen it too many times—trust given, only to be shattered like glass. It's exhausting, watching them weave their webs of lies. And yet…" She paused, her expression flickering between disdain and something deeper, like the faintest whisper of hope. "Maybe… just maybe, not all of them are beyond redemption. But that's rare, isn't it?" They hide their true selves behind masks to gain fame, recognition, or to manipulate others. But you…" Her piercing gaze softened slightly. "You're different. I can see it in your eyes. You've lost your will to live. That emptiness… I find it beautiful. So tell me, why do you keep fighting?"
"Because," I said, meeting her gaze with unwavering resolve, "a certain god promised to help me achieve my goal."
She tilted her head, curiosity flickering across her face. "A god, huh? Do they even still exist? But never mind that. Are you prepared to kill for this goal of yours, Val Oswald?"
She stepped forward, closing the remaining distance between us in a single, fluid motion. Her eyes burned with an intensity that made the air around her feel heavier.
"I'm ready to do anything," I said, my voice cold and firm. "Gruesome, immoral—it doesn't matter. As long as it gets me closer to what I want."
A smile spread across her face, one that sent a chill down my spine. "Interesting," she purred. "Val Oswald, I will help you achieve your desire. But in return, you must do something for me."
"What do you want?" I asked warily.
"Entertain me," she said, her tone suddenly playful. "Show me despair. Let me revel in it. Give me that, and you shall have my power. Do we have a deal?"
She extended her hand, waiting.
I hesitated for only a moment before grasping it firmly. "We have a deal."
Her grin widened. "Good. Now, where's the fight? Who's the enemy?" She glanced around eagerly, her spear materializing once more.
"There's no fight right now," I said, exasperated. "First, we need to get to Greece."
"Greece?" She wrinkled her nose. "That tiny country? Why?"
"How should I know? I'm as clueless as you are. Now, just follow me."
As I turned toward the university gate, I could feel her presence behind me, her steps surprisingly light despite her earlier theatrics. Something about her—the way her bravado melted into occasional vulnerability—reminded me of Sagiri. That thought twisted something deep in my chest, but I shoved it aside.
When we reached the gate, she stopped abruptly. "Why is this thing in my way?" she demanded. Before I could explain, she punched it with enough force to… well, I expected it to shatter. Instead, the gate held firm. Her hand, however, began to bleed.
"Are you okay?" I asked, alarmed.
She quickly hid her injured hand behind her back, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just… fine."
I sighed. "Have you forgotten how to use your powers?"
"N-no! It's just…" She trailed off, looking away. "Maybe my powers are gone for now."
"So, you can summon a spear and not much else?"
Her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry," she said, bowing slightly. "If you want to cancel our deal—"
"No." I cut her off. "The deal stands. I need your help, powers or not."
Her face lit up. "Really? You mean it?" For a moment, she hesitated, as if weighing the sincerity of my words, before breaking into a sudden, radiant smile. Then, she hugged me, catching me completely off guard with the unexpected warmth of her gesture.
"By the way," I muttered as I pried myself free, "what's your name?"
"You can call me Kaguya," she said brightly.
"Right… Kaguya," I repeated. "Let's get going."