The rain fell gently over the ruins of the destroyed cathedral, each drop echoing in the somber silence of the night. The devastation was absolute: scattered stones littered the ground, shattered stained glass glimmered on the floor, and once-majestic statues were reduced to fragments. The air was thick with the scent of ash and dampness, mingled with the distant rumble of thunder. Izumi, trembling, knelt amid the wreckage, his usually vibrant eyes now empty, reflecting the crushing weight of his failure.
Takeru, observing the destruction from afar, approached Izumi cautiously, his face shadowed with concern.
Takeru:(lowering his voice) "Izumi… what happened here?"
Izumi:(barely audible) "I'm sorry, Takeru… I failed. I couldn't save the kid…"
Takeru placed a comforting hand on Izumi's shoulder, his expression softening with empathy.
Takeru:"Let's get out of here. You need to rest. We'll figure out how to move forward later."
Izumi nodded almost imperceptibly, and together they began walking back to the camp, the sound of the rain fading as they distanced themselves from the cathedral.
Upon reaching the camp, Izumi practically collapsed onto his sleeping spot, falling into a deep sleep almost instantly, consumed by physical and mental exhaustion. Takeru sat by the campfire, his eyes fixed on the still-glowing embers. The crackling flames and the faint sound of distant rain created a melancholic atmosphere. When the rain finally stopped, the night sky unveiled a celestial tapestry, stars shimmering against a deep blue backdrop.
Takeru, still awake, kept reflecting on the events at the cathedral, his eyes now locked on the stars. The weight of what had happened pressed on his chest, but he kept his thoughts to himself, finally lying down but unable to sleep.
The scene cuts to Lumen and Niori, traveling in a cart toward the rebels' base. Silence reigned, and Lumen, visibly worried, watched the trees swaying in the wind as the uneven road jostled the cart. The driver finally stopped and turned to the group.
Driver:"We're here."
Lumen and Niori dismounted, followed by Renzo. He pulled his hood over his head, concealing a grim expression as he headed toward an entrance camouflaged by fig leaves. As they approached, Renzo brushed the leaves aside, revealing a dark, dimly lit tunnel with rough stone walls. The air inside was thick and humid, creating a claustrophobic sensation.
As they walked through the tunnel, Lumen seized the privacy to question Renzo about the kingdom's situation, his voice low but heavy with concern.
Lumen:"What happened here, Renzo? How did the kingdom fall into this state?"
Renzo:(sighing) "Corruption took over the court. Namu fell gravely ill and was in critical condition for months before he died. His second son seized the throne and turned the kingdom into a dictatorship. He replaced judges, nobles, generals—anyone who could oppose him. Now, any hint of resistance is crushed without mercy."
Lumen:"And the firstborn? Wasn't he supposed to inherit the throne?"
Renzo:(grimly) "No one knows. Since the king's death, the firstborn vanished. Not even the palace servants have seen him since."
Lumen:(serious) "Could he have been… eliminated?"
Renzo:(bitterly) "It's very likely. The second son was always ambitious, capable of anything to secure power. I wouldn't be surprised if he killed his own brother."
Lumen fell silent, his expression hardening as they neared the tunnel's end.
Emerging from the tunnel, they found the rebels' base—a rudimentary bunker hidden in a natural cave. The lighting was dim but sufficient to reveal the surroundings. The space was small, with stone walls that seemed to close in. A central table was covered with maps, attack plans, and defense schematics. Makeshift shelves on the walls held basic supplies: weapons, ammunition, and provisions.
At the back, a small rest area had simple mattresses strewn across the floor. Barrels of water were stacked in a corner, and a lit fireplace cast a warm glow. Weapons—mostly swords, spears, and crossbows—were organized on makeshift racks, ready for immediate use. The air carried a metallic tang, mixed with the dampness of the surrounding stone.
Renzo stood by the central table, gesturing for everyone to gather. A group of four joined them.
Renzo:"This is our team. Mira, our strategist and sharpshooter." (Mira, a woman with a stern expression, nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the room.)
Renzo:"Iria, our alchemist, specializing in explosives." (Iria grinned mischievously, colorful vials strapped to her belt.)
Iria:(winking) "Pleasure to meet you."
Renzo:"Darius, our spy, master of infiltration and silent combat." (Darius, a lean, stealthy man, stayed silent, his hands always near his daggers.)
Renzo:"And lastly, Takeda, our heavy warrior, the group's brute force." (Takeda, an imposing man, thumped his chest in greeting, his muscles clearly defined under his armor.)
Lumen:"Looks like a solid crew."
Renzo:(sighing) "We used to have more, but the army's been thinning our numbers."
Lumen:(with solidarity) "It's a tough situation…"
Lumen:"Renzo, forgive my bluntness, but I need a favor."
Renzo:"Name it. What do you need?"
Lumen:"I know you haven't lost your knack as an informant. Do you know anything about the library under the palace?"
Renzo hesitated. Sharing this information could doom not just him but everyone there.
Renzo:(thinking) "It's risky… but it might be our best shot."
Renzo:"I can tell you, but on one condition: you'll need to infiltrate the palace and help us overthrow the current king."
Lumen glanced at Niori, who nodded, ready for whatever came next.
Lumen:"No problem. We're in."
Renzo leaned in, sharing what he knew in a hushed tone so the others couldn't hear.
The scene cuts to Izumi waking with a start. His body jolted upright, eyes wide and gasping, as if trapped in a nightmare. The dawn's blue sky illuminated the partially set-up camp. The extinguished fire sent thin tendrils of smoke curling into the morning air. Izumi stumbled out of the tent, rubbing his eyes and trying to shake the lingering exhaustion weighing on his shoulders. The morning's silence was broken by a sudden movement behind him.
Takeru appeared abruptly from the shadows of a nearby tree, his figure standing out against the soft dawn light. Izumi, caught off guard, jumped, his heart racing.
Takeru:(with a sly grin) "You sleep like a rock, huh? Mercy!"
Izumi took a deep breath, trying to calm his pounding heart.
Izumi:(half-panting) "Trying to give me a heart attack?"
Takeru laughed, a light chuckle that brought some warmth to the chilly morning.
Takeru:(still laughing) "Sorry, just tidying up."
Izumi:(smiling, joining the jest) "Next time, give me a heads-up."
Takeru stepped closer, his eyes studying Izumi with a mix of concern and relief. He tried to mask his worry with a lighter tone, but the concern lingered, evident.
Takeru:(trying to sound casual) "Well, since you're up, wanna help me pack? We need to reach Leonhart before nightfall."
Izumi nodded, the smile fading as Takeru's words echoed in his mind.
Izumi:(more serious, almost distant) "Sure, I'll help."
They began dismantling the camp, the silence between them broken only by the sound of ropes being pulled, bags being zipped, and leaves rustling underfoot. The atmosphere seemed calm, but the tension between them was palpable, almost suffocating. Takeru, sensing the heaviness, decided to break the silence, his voice hesitant but filled with care.
Takeru:(searching for the right words) "Hey, I don't wanna make you feel worse… but what happened yesterday? All that…"
Izumi stopped abruptly, his hands trembling slightly as he held the tent's tarp. He didn't answer right away, his eyes fixed on a distant point, as if reliving the previous night's events. The air around them grew denser, laden with the painful memory he struggled to voice.
Izumi:(voice low, almost inaudible) "I… don't know… After I saw that woman kill the kid… the hatred took over. It was like my whole body was shaking, my heart burned like blazing fire, and my blood… it felt like it was boiling. Everything blurred, like the world around me vanished, and all that was left was… rage. After that, my mind went dark… I couldn't think… I just wanted… wanted to destroy… anything that moved…"
The words came with difficulty, each syllable heavy with unbearable weight. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to push away the haunting memories. Takeru watched, a lump forming in his throat. He knew Izumi was strong, but seeing the depth of his torment left him deeply shaken.
Takeru:(gently, with understanding) "Izumi… what you're feeling… it's too heavy a burden for someone your age. No one should carry that alone."
Izumi turned slowly to Takeru, his eyes reflecting a pain he tried, futilely, to hide. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught, choked by anguish. Takeru placed a firm, comforting hand on Izumi's shoulder, a silent but powerful gesture of support.
Takeru:(continuing with sincerity) "But you're not alone, okay? I'm here… and we'll get through this together. No matter what happened yesterday, we'll find a way to move forward."
Izumi finally found his voice, though still fragile, his words laced with fear and uncertainty.
Izumi:(taking a deep breath) "I just… don't want to lose control again. I don't want to become… that."
Takeru tightened his grip on Izumi's shoulder, a simple gesture brimming with meaning. He understood that Izumi didn't need answers right now, but someone present, by his side, without judgment.
Takeru:(with a genuine smile) "You won't. We'll figure it out. Together."
Izumi closed his eyes again, absorbing Takeru's words like a balm for his restless soul. After a moment, he exhaled slowly, releasing some of the lingering tension.
Izumi:(with gratitude) "Thanks, Takeru. For being here."
Takeru:(grinning) "Always."
With the atmosphere slightly lighter, they resumed breaking down the camp. The bond between them was now stronger, cemented by understanding and mutual support. The sun began to rise, casting new light on the horizon, like a promise of hope and redemption. Despite the shadows still looming over him, Izumi felt a new determination growing in his chest. He knew challenges lay ahead, but with Takeru by his side, he believed he could find the strength to press on.
The scene shifts abruptly, revealing a distant, isolated location. Atop a cliff, Genesis overlooks the kingdom below, his gaze fixed on where Leonhart is and the tunnel entrance to the rebels' base. Even without being present, Genesis tracks everything, though he's lost sight of Izumi and Takeru.
Genesis's expression is somber, almost depressive. His white hair sways gently in the wind as he contemplates the kingdom below, where other groups fight. The uprisings are more frequent but increasingly feeble, as if the rebels' life force is waning.
Genesis:(pensive, melancholic) "Humanity, in its eternal struggle for power and survival… like puppets dancing on the strings of their own sin… a descent into their own ruin…"
Genesis extends his hand, palm facing the sky. Tiny particles of light begin to form, swirling and weaving into a small, glowing orb. He gazes at it for a moment, reflecting on the fragility and beauty in each spark of life.
Genesis:(even more reflective) "The cycle repeats, always the same, yet always different. Destruction comes, followed by creation, and the reverse holds true. But what remains at the center of it all?"
Suddenly, the orb trembles and shatters, its particles dissolving into the air as if they never existed. Genesis's expression turns grave, as if something disturbing crossed his mind—a dark premonition of what's to come.
As he turns, Genesis is met by an unexpected figure: a blind woman, dressed simply, clutching a rosary. She murmurs inaudible words, as if in prayer, until she suddenly stops and speaks, seemingly unaware of Genesis's presence.
Blind Woman:(with a serene but enigmatic voice) "The stars fall, one by one, but the last to shine will not be the strongest, only the one who chooses where its light must fade. Beware the whispers of the past, for what is buried may wish to be remembered… or forgotten."
Genesis glances over his shoulder, his expression a mix of surprise and perhaps slight fear. He hadn't sensed anyone, and even now, he feels no presence or soul, despite the woman standing right before him.
Blind Woman:(continuing, now darker) "Change is coming… something even you did not foresee. This will be the turning point."
The chapter closes with an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation, hinting that greater forces are at play and that the future is about to be shaped by decisions and events beyond the characters' control. The blind woman's cryptic words add a layer of uncertainty, leaving a sense that something inevitable and monumental is on the horizon.