Kingoro was sitting on the ground, leaning against the trunk of an old tree, with the sun bathing him in its warm rays. After six years spent trapped in the darkness of the gate, the feeling of light and fresh air was both strange and comforting at the same time. He was silent, his eyes half-closed as if he was trying to adjust to the world he had been absent from for so long.
"How do I talk to them? How do I interact with people after all these years?" Kingoro wondered in a soft voice, one that no one could hear, except for the wind that brushed against his face.
As he sank deeper into his thoughts, he heard distant footsteps approaching. These were not ordinary steps; the sound of hooves striking the ground was accompanied by the soft murmur of conversation. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see three men and a girl riding black horses, approaching him cautiously.
The first to speak was a tall man with a light beard, wearing a leather armor adorned with marks of previous battles. His voice was calm but firm as he said, "What are you doing here? Sitting in this place until nightfall is not a good idea. The monsters that seep through the gates roam the area at night. You'll become easy prey."
Kingoro raised his gaze to the man but said nothing. He didn't know how to communicate with them; years had passed since he last spoke to anyone. Everything about him was silent, but his eyes reflected a mixture of caution and confusion.
"You look strange," said the girl, who was riding a small white horse. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in a little to get a better look at Kingoro. She then added with a mischievous smile, "And also… what's up with your hair? Half of it is white, and the other half is black? I've never seen anything like it!"
Kingoro slowly turned towards her, surprised by what she said. "My hair? What's wrong with it?" he asked in a soft voice.
The girl chuckled lightly, then replied, "Just as I said! It's strange! Half white, half black. Isn't that normal for you?"
Kingoro tilted his head slightly and touched his hair with the tips of his fingers. "It was always black..." he muttered to himself. He didn't understand how it had changed, but he didn't have time to dive into his thoughts.
The first man interrupted again: "My name is Totsuka, the leader of the Ashiri group. I can see that you have an air of mystery about you. Looks like you have quite a story." He then added with a faint smile, "Do you have a destination? Or are you aimlessly wandering here?"
Kingoro remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a calm voice, filled with resolve, "I have no place to go… but I have a goal."
Totsuka noticed something in Kingoro's eyes; a look that reflected old wounds and a desire for vengeance. "Then, how about joining us? We are the Ashiri group. Our mission is to protect the outer lands from monster threats. You might find your place with us."
Kingoro thought for a moment, then responded coldly, "I'll join." He had no other choice. If he wanted to rebuild himself, and if he wanted to get revenge on his brother, he needed power and opportunity.
Totsuka led his group, along with Kingoro, to their stronghold. The stronghold was built atop a hill, surrounded by massive wooden walls, with watchtowers standing like silent sentinels. The structures were simple but sturdy, designed to withstand monster attacks.
"This is our stronghold," Totsuka said, pointing to the main gate. "We follow the name of the Northern Kingdom, but we operate independently. No one controls us here."
As they entered, Kingoro observed the details of the stronghold. Soldiers were training, blacksmiths were repairing weapons, and people moved in harmony as if they were one big family.
"What is this place?" Kingoro wondered aloud, unsure if he was asking himself or others.
Totsuka turned toward him and said, "What you see here is not just a stronghold. It's a refuge for those who have lost everything in this world. Our mission is not only to protect the outer lands, but also to protect the people. The monsters that seep through the gates show no mercy."
In the evening, Totsuka took Kingoro to the tavern inside the stronghold. The tavern was filled with group members, laughing and joking while sipping drinks.
Kingoro sat at a corner table, feeling out of place. Everyone was in sync, exchanging stories and jokes, but he felt incapable of joining in.
"How do I interact with them?" Kingoro thought to himself. "I've spent years in the dark. I don't even know how to talk or act."
"Kingoro!" called one of the men, raising his glass. "You look so calm. Don't you know how to relax?"
Kingoro looked at him and replied coldly, "I'm not used to this kind of atmosphere."
The girl laughed again and said, "He'll get used to it! We all started out this way."
Totsuka, who was sitting next to Kingoro, added, "Tomorrow, we'll head to a new site. A gate recently opened, and we need to close it. You'll come with us, and you'll see what we mean."
Kingoro hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What are gates?"
Totsuka explained in detail, "Gates are weak points between our world and the monster world. When they open, monsters begin to pour through. If left unchecked, they can become a real disaster. Our job is to close the gates before that happens."
The girl added, "But don't worry, we're the best at this!"
Kingoro continued to watch them in silence, but he felt something change within him. Maybe, just maybe, he might find a place to belong here.