- Leo -
The journey through the forest was short—but in Leo's mind, it stretched on forever.
Every crunch of leaves underfoot, every distant sound, every flicker of light between the towering trees made his body tense. Even though the vampire castle was behind them, the weight of it hadn't left his chest.
Eventually, the rebels stopped.
Hidden beneath a slope of twisted roots and overgrown thorns, an unremarkable stone slab lay half-buried in the earth. One of the warriors pressed a concealed switch. A faint rumble followed, and the stone slowly shifted aside, revealing a narrow stairwell descending into the darkness.
From the outside, it looked like nothing—just another forgotten ruin in a world swallowed by nature. But down there… it was something else.
As they descended into the underground base, the air cooled. The passage opened into a wide, torch-lit chamber filled with quiet murmurs and tired eyes. Dozens of rescued children were already gathered—some wrapped in old blankets, others sitting silently on the stone floor, too exhausted to speak. Some cried softly. Others didn't move at all, as if even hope had been drained from them.
Leo's eyes scanned the room, heart hammering.
Please be here… please—
Then he saw him.
"Ryo!"
Ryo stood near the back, half-shadowed by a group of younger kids. His eyes widened, and for the first time in weeks, something returned to his face.
Life.
Leo pushed through the others, barely thinking, and clapped a hand on Ryo's shoulder.
"Told you we'd make it out of that hellhole," he said, forcing a crooked smile.
Ryo chuckled, weak but real. "Yeah… you did say that." Then, quieter: "Honestly though… if we'd stayed even one more day, I don't think I would've made it."
Leo's smile faded. He understood. Too well. "It wasn't easy. So many didn't make it… but we did. We held on."
Ryo exhaled and nodded. "Yeah. We did."
Leo squeezed his shoulder. "And as long as we stick together, we won't break. I promise."
This time, Ryo smiled—fully, genuinely.
Before either of them could say more, a voice cut through the low noise of the chamber.
"Everyone, listen up!"
Some kids kept whispering. Most were too dazed to react.
The speaker—a tall young man in a high-command rebel coat trimmed with silver—stepped onto a pile of crates. His black-and-gray uniform gleamed subtly under the torchlight, the golden cord at his shoulder shifting slightly as he moved. His presence wasn't loud. It was solid. Unshakable.
He didn't shout. He didn't need to.
His voice didn't just rise—it carried.
It cut through the murmurs like a blade through fog.
"I said—listen."
And like a snapped wire pulled tight—
Silence.
Leo looked up at him. He was a bit older than the rest—maybe nineteen. Sharp blue eyes. Blond hair, cut short and neat. His posture was strong, but not showy. The kind of strength that came from bearing weight, not showing off.
"My name is Kazuya Yokoyama," he said. "I'm one of the commanders of the rebellion. I know you've all been through hell. I know this isn't easy. But we're at war. And we need every fighter we can get."
Leo turned to Ryo, already knowing his answer.
"I'm joining them."
Ryo stared for a second, then gave a tired smile. "You're sure?"
Leo nodded.
I already saw what it means to stay behind and wait. I won't do that again.
"We have to fight back," he said quietly. "We have to."
Ryo hesitated—then stepped forward with him. "Yeah. You're right. If you're in, I'm in."
Kazuya continued. "Anyone willing to fight—willing to risk their lives—step forward. You'll be placed under Commander Ryosuke Sakamoto."
He gestured to the side.
Leo turned.
A young man stood there, arms crossed, eyes like black steel. He had a solid, muscular frame, a practical cut to his brown hair, and a heavy scar running diagonally from his cheek down to the base of his neck. His face was unreadable—but not cold. Just focused.
Kazuya then gestured to the other side. "Anyone who's not ready to fight—you'll be placed under Commander Mai Moriyama."
A tall girl stood beside him—lean, long black hair flowing freely, soft brown eyes watching the room like a quiet guardian. She looked younger, but something in her stance carried the confidence of someone who'd already walked through fire. She wasn't a warrior. She was a protector.
Silence fell.
Leo stepped forward.
Ryo followed.
Then, slowly, others joined. Step by step, until ten stood before Ryosuke.
The rest—at least thirty—drifted toward Mai. Some limping. Some with hollow eyes. Some clinging to younger children.
They're afraid… They can't go through another nightmare. And who could blame them?
Kazuya exhaled. "Alright. Anyone else?"
No one moved.
He gave a short nod. "Understood. Those following Mai—head to the main base."
As the group began filing out, Kazuya turned to Ryosuke with a half-smile. "Ten this time. Better than last."
Ryosuke chuckled, a low sound like grinding stone. "Last time, we got four. None of them lasted. But these ones…"
His gaze swept the line—then locked onto Leo.
"…They look hungry."
He approached, arms still folded. "You've got fire in your eyes. I like that. You want revenge, don't you?"
Leo's jaw clenched. "I want to fight. I want to end this."
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow, then let out a short laugh. "You'll get your chance. But first—training. And I'll say this now… some don't survive it."
Leo didn't flinch. "After that prison? I can handle anything."
The corner of Ryosuke's mouth lifted. "I like this one."
Kazuya added with a grin, "He's the one who saved Nora from that vampire."
Ryosuke's eyes sharpened. "That was you?"
Leo nodded.
The smirk returned. "Bet it felt good, huh? Killing one of those bastards?"
Leo hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. But… I think it was the sword. It wasn't normal. It felt like… it was doing more than just cutting."
Ryo elbowed him, grinning. "Oh right, that was Nora's sword, huh?"
Leo's cheeks flushed. "I-It's not like that."
Ryo snickered. "Sure. Whatever you say."
Ryosuke let out a deep chuckle. "Don't worry. Those swords aren't normal. You'll find out soon enough."
Kazuya clapped his hands once. "Alright. Enough talking. We move before the vamps realize what we did."
Ryosuke turned. "Follow me."
As they started walking, Ryo leaned in.
"Hey, Leo. You really ready for this?"
Leo clenched his fists, gaze steady.
I've never been more ready.