The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the horizon in a deep crimson glow. A warm wind stirred the dust, carrying the whispers of bird returning home—five of them, racing down the lane with carefree joy in sky.
Haruki walked slowly toward the house, his golden aura long gone, replaced by silence and fatigue. His steps were steady, but his soul was heavy.
Waiting outside the door stood Yuki, arms crossed, her white coat fluttering in the breeze. She had sensed his return long before he arrived.
"You're late," she said, her tone calm but sharp. "The security minister from the Land of Wisdom has been waiting for you. He's inside."
Haruki didn't respond. He simply walked past her, eyes on the doorway.
But Yuki wasn't finished. "And Eraan?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Haruki paused.
"He's not there anymore," Yuki continued. "What happened? Where is he?"
Haruki didn't turn around. His voice was low, almost too soft to hear.
"He's free now. Let him go wherever he wants."
Then he stepped into the house, the wooden door creaking shut behind him.
Inside the house, the air was still.
A tall man with fair skin sat quietly on a wooden chair near the center of the room. His black robes shimmered faintly under the warm glow of the lanterns, and silver rings dangled from his ears, catching the light. By his side rested a long sword, its hilt marked with ancient runes.
He seemed lost in thought, eyes fixed on the floor—but the moment Haruki entered, the man's gaze lifted.
"What are you thinking about, Yakushi?" Haruki asked calmly.
The man stood at once, offering a respectful bow. "Namaste," he said, his voice deep but composed. "I was waiting for you."
Haruki nodded and took a seat across from him, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "Is everything alright?"
Yakushi straightened his back, then slowly shook his head. "No," he said, solemnly. "The Land of Wisdom… is no longer safe."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"Demons have begun to attack," Yakushi continued. "Not just beasts… real devils. Coordinated, powerful, and relentless."
Haruki's expression didn't change, but the atmosphere grew colder.
Yakushi glanced at the sword beside him. "Two of the Seven Angels… the protectors of our land… have gone missing."
Haruki leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. "Missing?"
"We don't know if they're dead… or worse," Yakushi replied. "But their presence has vanished entirely. The balance of our realm is starting to crumble."
Haruki's gaze turned distant for a moment. Then he spoke.
"So… the Land of Wisdom," he said slowly, "It lies beyond the Black Peak. That means after ravaging our lands, the demons have begun to move east… spreading like rot."
He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
"It makes sense," he continued. "Attacking the Seven Angels first. Remove the pillars, and the structure falls on its own."
Yakushi nodded grimly. "It's been over two weeks now. The first protector vanished without a trace. Then the second. At first, we thought it was betrayal, or that they'd fallen in battle."
He paused. "But two days ago… the remaining protectors sent a desperate message. They asked for you by name, Haruki. They believe only you can stand against this tide."
A silence followed. The fire crackled faintly in the background. Haruki stared at the wooden floor, lost in thought.
Then, he looked up—meeting Yakushi's eyes.
And in that moment, he saw it.
Not fear.
But hope.
Haruki sighed. "Alright," he said, voice calm but resolute. "We leave at dawn."
Yakushi's shoulders lowered with relief. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Haruki stood up. "There's a guest room down the hall. Get some rest tonight—you'll need it."
Yakushi bowed respectfully again, then turned toward the room.
Haruki remained standing for a few seconds longer, eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the window.
Yuki entered the room quietly. Haruki stood near the window, lost in thought.
"What's the matter?" she asked softly.
Haruki turned slightly. "Nothing," he replied. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. The Land of Wisdom may have come under attack. If the demons really reached there… then what little knowledge humanity still guards may be in danger. I have to go."
Yuki crossed her arms. "You and your heavy talks… Come on, dinner's ready. And Eran's hungry too."
Haruki's eyes narrowed. "Eran? How did he get here? I thought he was done with us. I thought he—"
Before he could finish, Eran walked into the room.
Haruki blinked. "You…"
---
Flashback
When Eran opened his eyes, his body ached all over. The fire was gone, but exhaustion clung to him like smoke. Nearby, the soft trickling of a waterfall called to him. He stumbled over and drank deeply, the cold water refreshing him.
Then it hit him—haruki was gone.
His face lit up with relief.
"I'm free!" he gasped, and without a second thought, took off running.
But soon, his stomach began to grumble. He wandered, eyes darting from tree to tree until he spotted a red-berry tree.
"Perfect!"
He grabbed a handful and shoved them into his mouth, barely chewing. Then another. Then more.
Minutes later, the world began to spin.
"Why are there four trees… of everything?"
Then—a low growl.
Eran turned.
Wolves. Two of them.
But in his dizzy eyes—they looked like eight.
"Oh no."
Still weak, he did the only thing he could—run.
Branches whipped past him. His vision blurred. He had no idea where he was going.
Then, as if the world was playing tricks on him, he suddenly saw a familiar sight.
Haruki's house.
And Yuki standing at the door.
"Huh… not again"