Haru ran through the narrow alleys of Yunara, Rin hanging over his shoulders. His grip was tight, almost desperate, as if letting go for even a moment would mean losing her forever. His knife rested at his waist, but the blade felt heavier than ever, soaked with blood that wasn't just his own.
Blood dripped from his body with every step. From his arms. From his side. From cuts he didn't even remember receiving. His breathing was broken, uneven, every inhale burning his chest. He couldn't run properly anymore. His legs trembled, threatening to give up at any moment.
But he didn't stop.
Because when he looked at Rin—
She was worse.
Her body was covered in blood, far more than his. Her breathing was weak, unstable. Her head leaned lifelessly against his back, and every small movement made her body shake slightly.
"I can't stop…" Haru muttered under his breath, voice dry, almost breaking.
The town echoed from the other side. Voices. Panic. Fear. People shouting, doors closing, footsteps running. Haru could feel it without even seeing it.
The fall of the dummy king…
It had shaken the entire city.
He moved deeper into the darker paths, away from the noise, into the forgotten parts of Yunara. The alley he ran through was filthy, cramped like a broken colony. Houses stood too close to each other, walls cracked, the air thick with rot and neglect.
Some houses had people inside.
He could feel their eyes.
Watching.
But no one came out.
No one dared.
They all knew something was wrong in the city tonight.
Haru's foot slipped.
His body dropped slightly, almost collapsing—but he forced himself back up immediately, teeth clenching, a sharp groan escaping his throat.
"Not now… not now…"
He adjusted Rin slightly, holding her tighter. His arms trembled under her weight, but he didn't loosen his grip.
He looked at her again.
Blood was still flowing.
Her eyes flickered slightly—she was conscious… barely.
Haru's chest tightened.
Then suddenly—he stopped.
His legs refused to move anymore.
He staggered to the side of a broken house and slowly lowered Rin to the ground, careful despite his shaking hands. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, his vision blurring for a moment.
He forced himself to look around.
The place was quiet. Hidden. No movement. No sound except distant chaos.
"…This place…" he muttered. "…no one will come here…"
With trembling hands, he pulled at his clothes, tearing the fabric apart. The sound of cloth ripping echoed faintly in the narrow space. He pressed the torn pieces tightly against Rin's wounds, applying pressure, trying to stop the bleeding.
His hands were shaking too much.
"Stay… stay with me…" he whispered, almost like a prayer.
Rin's eyes opened slowly.
She looked at him.
"Fool…" she muttered weakly. "…what is your problem…? Why are you protecting me…?"
Haru froze for a second.
Then he let out a slow breath, sitting down beside her, his back against the wall. His entire body screamed in pain, but he ignored it.
"You don't need to worry about that…" he said quietly. "…I gave your mother a word tonight…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"I said… I'll protect you… no matter what…"
He lowered his head slightly.
"…Because I'm the reason you're here."
For a moment, Rin just looked at him.
Then… she smiled.
A weak, tired smile—but real.
"You really are… a fool…" she said softly. "…we're here because I came to fight them… without telling you…"
She tried to laugh—
But a sharp pain hit her chest.
Her body tensed, and the laugh broke into a painful breath.
Haru's eyes widened slightly.
"…Don't talk…"
But she shook her head lightly.
After a moment—
Haru smiled too.
Just a little.
For a brief second, the pain, the blood, the chaos… all of it faded.
They just sat there.
Silent.
Together.
Then Rin spoke again, her voice softer now.
"Haru… do you remember…what master hyum said when we were children…?"
Haru let out a faint breath of air, almost like a laugh.
"…Master Hyun said too many things… I don't know which one you mean…"
Rin's eyes softened.
"I remember…" she whispered.
And slowly—
The memory returned.
⸻
The Year 1308
Ten years ago.
Haru was thirteen.
Rin was twelve.
The two of them had escaped from their hidden place, running through the outside paths like they always did.
The area was filled with uneven stones, narrow passages, and broken paths. It was dangerous—but to them, it was a playground.
"Hey! Don't fall behind!" Rin shouted, jumping over a pile of stones effortlessly.
Haru scoffed. "You're the one who's slow!"
She turned back, smirking. "Say that again."
"You heard me!"
"You'll regret it!"
She picked up a small stone and threw it toward him.
Haru dodged it quickly. "You missed!"
"Stand still then!"
"Why would I do that?!"
They laughed.
Ran.
Pushed each other.
Teased the older kids they passed by.
For a moment, the world was simple.
Then—
Haru stepped wrong.
His foot slipped on loose stone.
"…Ah—!"
His body lost balance instantly.
He fell into a narrow gap between rocks, sliding down uncontrollably.
Sharp stones scraped against his back, his arms, his legs. Pain shot through his body as he tumbled deeper and deeper.
Then—
THUD.
He hit the ground hard.
Everything went dark.
…
…
Time passed.
Slowly—
Haru's eyes opened.
His head throbbed painfully. His body felt heavy, unresponsive.
"…Where…"
He tried to move.
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up from beneath a small stone. His vision blurred, then cleared little by little.
He lifted his head.
And looked forward.
…
…
His eyes widened.
His body froze.
Below him—
In the dim light between the stones—
A massive tiger stood there.
Still.
Silent.
Watching.
To be continued…