I stand frozen. "What is in your head when you touch that crystal, kid?"
My breath thins. No sound comes out.
KRAAK—A tree splits clean behind us.
SPLASH—The cat growls.
"Kid."
CLACK—He sheathes his sword. His belt presses against my forehead, forcing my face up toward him.
"You touched it?"
"…Yes."
"Huh?"
"I touched it."
THWACK—A hard blow crashes into my forehead. Thwack, thwack—each strike rings inside my skull. My vision blurs, then narrows.
Pain detonates in my head. The world tilts. He steps closer until his shadow swallows everything.
"Pointless," he mutters. "Even if I take the crystal, this whole journey means nothing. Unless… I kill you."
"Hmph… hmmh… hmn." A cracked laugh slips out of me, pathetic and trembling. Tears follow without permission.
He is right. My life means nothing. My mother leaves before my memories take shape. My father leaves before I grow tall enough to reach his shoulder.
"Then kill me." My voice comes out thin.
"As you wish."
THWACK—another blow. Blood runs down my cheek. My legs shake, but I do not fall.
"Not enough," I say. "If you are going to kill me, do it properly. Do not hold back."
He falls silent. His blade sinks into the ground.
"I do not want to imagine what someone like you will become," he whispers.
"What do you mean? I did not ask for pity. Just kill me."
"And I will." He raises his sword.
"One thing," he whispers. "Your name. I want to know the name of the man I am about to end."
A brief pause.
"…Hiroshiki."
"I will see you… Father… Mother…"
The tip of his blade lifts my chin—SPLASH.
The metal guard of his sword slams into my chest. Darkness climbs fast across my vision.
"My name is Jiza, boy. Remember it." His voice fades.
He stands over me—waiting for something I cannot understand, because consciousness leaves me.
---
Jiza leaves Hiro lying on the ground, not executing him—only knocking him down. He walks dozens of steps before stopping.
Hiro's fingers twitch.
Jiza spins, drawing his sword without hesitation.
Hiro's body lifts from the earth, his feet hanging as if pulled by invisible threads.
SWASH—In an instant, Hiro shoots toward Jiza, hand reaching.
Jiza narrows his eyes.
Hiro twists in midair-
BLAM—a kick crashes into Jiza's face, dragging him across the dirt. He falls at Hiro's feet.
But Jiza laughs—rough and delighted.
"Impressive. Just as foretold. A boy forged by despair… a vessel chosen to cleanse arrogance."
His smile turns feral.
Above Hiro—Jiza's sword drops fast, a breath away from splitting his skull.
---
Far from the ruins of Terravane, deep within a dark castle, four figures sit around a long table.
A parchment lies open before them: Explosion reported at the Terravane Village relic shop, Zepharia Territory.
"The Lady has spoken," the first says. "The crystal has awakened. The explosion confirms it. Who will descend?"
"Not I," the second says. "To act in haste invites disaster."
"Not I," the third murmurs. "She detests premature movement."
Silence. All eyes shift to the fourth figure—seated apart, quiet as stone.
"You," the first says softly. "What is your decision… Jiza?"