Azril (10 years old) remained frozen at the edge of the abyss. After his consciousness had peered into the depths, his fear slowly transformed into a profound curiosity. The lingering innocence within his predator's soul urged him to draw closer. The golden light radiating from the bottom of the gorge was simply too beautiful to ignore.
With lithe, agile movements, Azril began to descend the canyon walls. The moment his feet touched the glowing grass below, a look of pure happiness washed over his face. He immediately ran toward the shimmering plants, touching their soft leaves and playing alone for a while. For the first time in six years, a small, genuine laugh escaped his parched lips.
After he had his fill of play, Azril began to walk along the banks of the river of light that flowed serenely through the depths. He had one goal: the giant entity he had seen from above.
He stopped directly in front of the creature. It was a majestic being resembling a giant peacock, but its body was shrouded in a bright blue aura that moved as calmly as water. His suspicion was correct—the creature was no longer breathing. This noble being was nothing more than a lifeless husk, frozen in time for ages.
Driven by an agonizing loneliness, Azril did not leave. Instead, he sat by the bird's carcass, as if meeting an old friend. He began to speak, gazing into the bird's faded eyes.
"Hey Bird, do you know? When I grow up, I want to live in the city with Father and Mother," Azril said with a wide smile. "I want to have many friends to play with. I don't want to be alone anymore."
Azril spoke of his dreams, imagining himself running through crowded city streets with other children. When he grew tired of talking, he played with the water in the river of light. His laughter rang out as the water splashed his hands. Eventually, exhaustion claimed him, and Azril decided to lean against the body of the giant peacock.
The feathers, surprisingly, were very warm. At that moment, Azril's eyes began to well up. The warmth forcibly dragged back memories of the embrace of Lana, his mother. Clutching the warm feathers, Azril finally fell into a deep, peaceful sleep—the most restful sleep he had ever experienced in the Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, in the mortal world, the atmosphere in Remnant Village grew increasingly bleak. Arlo sat leaning against the wall of his fragile hut, staring vacantly at the dark sky. He continued to loathe himself, feeling like a useless man for failing to protect his own son.
"I failed, Lana," Arlo whispered to his wife, whose face had become as pale as parchment.
Lana could only sob. She blamed herself, believing her negligence was the cause of Azril's disappearance. Seeing his family shattered, Arlo made a desperate decision. He could no longer bear to see Lana suffer in poverty and grief.
Arlo decided to enlist as a soldier for the Aethorian Empire. Together with his 18-year-old neighbor, Lizra, they bid a heavy-hearted farewell.
"I will return with a better life, or I will not return at all," Arlo promised.
Lana could only watch her husband leave through a veil of endless tears. Fortunately, she was accompanied by Aerith (16 years old), Lizra's wife, who tried to comfort her even though she herself was consumed by anxiety.
Back in the Sanctuary.
Azril began to wake. He rubbed his eyes, realizing he had slept for quite a long time. This was the first time he had felt such genuine warmth in years. As he stood up, Azril noticed something miraculous. The blue aura from the peacock had begun to slowly seep into his veins, making his body feel far lighter and more powerful than ever before.
"Thank you, friend," Azril whispered, glancing at the peacock's carcass one last time before turning to explore the strange lands that lay even further beyond.