A gentle breeze drifted through the towering trees of the Ancient Forest as Aizen and Lyra continued their long journey beneath the emerald canopy.
The morning sunlight slipped through the countless branches above, painting patches of gold across the winding forest path. Birds sang peacefully from the treetops while the distant sound of flowing water echoed somewhere deeper within the woods.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
Only the soft rustling of leaves and the rhythm of their footsteps accompanied them.
Eventually, Lyra broke the silence.
"This is a long story," she said, glancing toward Aizen. "So make sure you listen carefully."
Aizen looked over at her with a cheerful smile before nodding.
"Got it!"
Lyra took a quiet breath.
Her silver-white hair swayed gently with the wind, while her ocean-blue eyes reflected the morning sky.
Then, she began.
"When I was born... I was already conscious."
Aizen blinked.
"...Conscious?"
Lyra nodded.
"Yes. I know it sounds strange, but I remember everything from the day I was born."
Aizen listened without interrupting.
"You've probably noticed that my eyes sometimes change color."
"I have."
"When I'm not using magic, my eyes are ocean blue. But whenever I channel my mana, they become crimson red."
She looked ahead as they walked.
"That's because I inherited a unique trait from my royal bloodline."
"I'm what dragons call a Half Royal-Blood Dragonoid."
Aizen tilted his head.
"What exactly does that mean?"
A faint smile appeared on Lyra's face.
"It means I was born differently from every other dragon."
She continued.
"Normally, dragons hatch from their eggs as baby dragons. As they grow older, their parents teach them how to transform into humanoid forms so they can live among the other races while hiding their enormous dragon bodies."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"But..."
"I was different."
"I hatched from my egg already in my human form."
Aizen's golden eyes widened.
"Really?"
Lyra nodded.
"Not as a dragon hatchling."
"As a human infant."
"The entire royal family was shocked."
"Many believed it was a blessing."
"Others feared it was an omen."
She laughed softly.
"I suppose neither side was completely wrong."
Her gaze drifted toward the endless forest surrounding them.
"My unique trait greatly strengthened my affinity for magic."
"When my mana flows through my body, my crimson eyes allow me to perceive magical energy more clearly."
"They enhance my vision and improve my spellcasting."
She smiled modestly.
"I'm probably not stronger than you in combat anymore."
"But..."
"I'd like to think I can still beat you when it comes to knowledge."
Aizen scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...I won't argue with that."
Lyra giggled quietly before continuing.
"There are other differences as well."
"When dragons lose control of their emotions..."
"They enter a state known as Berserk."
Her expression became serious.
"In that state, they're forced into their true dragon forms."
"They lose all reason."
"Friend or foe no longer matters."
"They destroy everything in sight until someone strong enough calms them down."
Aizen frowned.
"...That sounds terrifying."
"It is."
"But fortunately..."
"My unique trait prevents that from happening to me."
"I've never experienced Berserk."
"And I hope I never will."
She paused before adding another explanation.
"And despite what most people believe, transforming into our humanoid forms doesn't make dragons weaker."
"Our physical strength, scales, and resilience remain nearly the same."
"The dragon form is simply larger."
"It's more useful for long-distance travel and carrying heavy loads."
Aizen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"So..."
"Couldn't we have flown together?"
"I could've ridden on your back."
Lyra immediately shook her head.
"Not yet."
"I'm still inexperienced in my dragon form."
"And although I can fly while remaining in my humanoid body, I can't stay airborne for very long."
She looked toward the towering trees that stretched hundreds of feet into the sky.
"The Ancient Forest is also far too dense."
"The trees are massive."
"There isn't enough open space to fly safely."
"So for now..."
She smiled faintly.
"Walking is still our best option."
"I see."
Aizen nodded in understanding.
Lyra looked ahead once more.
"...Now."
"Let me tell you why I left the Dragon Kingdom."
The forest grew quieter as the two continued walking beneath the towering ancient trees.
Only the occasional chirping of birds and the rustling leaves accompanied their footsteps.
Lyra remained silent for a few moments, gathering her thoughts.
"...This forest."
She gently brushed the bark of a nearby tree with her fingertips.
"It reminds me of home."
Aizen glanced at her.
"Home?"
She nodded.
"The Subaru Domain."
"My father's territory."
A faint smile appeared on her face, filled with both warmth and sadness.
"It isn't exactly the same..."
"But the scenery is very similar."
"The endless forests."
"The rivers."
"The mountains."
"They all remind me of my childhood."
Aizen quietly listened.
He knew this part of her story wasn't easy to tell.
"My father..."
Lyra continued.
"Was a kind man."
"He wasn't simply a noble."
"He was a leader."
"A Great Duke."
"One of the Dragon King's trusted swords."
"The guardian of the Subaru Domain."
As she spoke, a nostalgic smile crossed her lips.
"He taught me many things."
"How to read."
"How to behave as a noble."
"How to treat our people."
"He always said..."
'A ruler exists to protect those beneath them.'
"I admired him."
"He was the person I respected most."
Her smile slowly disappeared.
"But..."
"Everything changed."
Aizen noticed the slight tremble in her voice.
"When I turned eight..."
"My father became..."
"...different."
"He stopped joining us during meals."
"He barely spoke to me."
"My mother also became distant."
"They smiled..."
"But..."
"Their smiles no longer felt genuine."
"It was as though..."
"They had become completely different people."
Aizen frowned.
"...Did something happen?"
"I didn't know."
"At first."
"I thought they were simply busy."
"So..."
"I buried myself in books."
A faint laugh escaped her lips.
"I've always loved reading."
"There was one book hidden inside our private library."
"It was far too advanced for someone my age."
"My tutors forbade me from touching it."
"So naturally..."
"I read it anyway."
Aizen chuckled.
"I probably would've done the same."
Lyra smiled proudly.
"I finished nearly the entire book in one sitting."
"But when I finally looked outside the library window..."
"I saw my father."
"He was standing alone in the garden."
"He hadn't moved."
"Not even once."
Aizen blinked.
"For how long?"
"The entire day."
"He simply stood there."
"Like a statue."
"No expression."
"No movement."
"No life in his eyes."
A cold breeze swept through the forest.
Even Aizen felt uneasy.
"I rushed outside."
"I called for him."
'I asked if he was alright.'
"But..."
"He didn't answer."
"It was as though he couldn't even hear me."
Lyra lowered her head.
"That's when I realized..."
"...Something was terribly wrong."
She took a slow breath before continuing.
"I began secretly investigating the estate."
"I searched through old records."
"I questioned servants."
"I read books that had been sealed away for generations."
"And eventually..."
"I found the truth."
Aizen waited silently.
"My family..."
"My servants..."
"My knights..."
"Almost everyone inside the Subaru Estate..."
"...had fallen under a powerful enchantment."
His eyes widened.
"They were bewitched?"
Lyra nodded.
"Yes."
"A spell powerful enough to suppress their own wills."
"The only one who remained unaffected..."
"...was me."
"Probably because of my unique royal trait."
She clenched her fists.
"The spell didn't merely control them."
"It changed who they were."
"They began obeying every command issued by the Dragon King..."
"...without question."
Aizen's expression darkened.
"...King Zelfhar."
Lyra nodded slowly.
"He wanted to secure complete loyalty from the great noble houses."
"And there was another reason."
She hesitated.
"...Me."
Aizen looked at her in confusion.
"You?"
"The Dragon King wanted me to marry his son."
Her voice became noticeably colder.
"A prince."
"One who delighted in manipulating others."
"He treated people like toys."
"He believed everything belonged to him simply because he was royalty."
"I despised him."
Aizen frowned.
"So..."
"They wanted to force you into that marriage?"
"Yes."
"My parents would've never agreed to such a thing."
"But..."
"They no longer had a choice."
"They weren't themselves anymore."
Silence settled between them.
Only the wind answered.
"So..."
"I made my decision."
"I packed only the things I truly needed."
"My clothes."
"My books."
"My travel supplies."
"And one magical storage ring."
She smiled faintly.
"Then..."
"I ran away."
Aizen couldn't help smiling.
"...That sounds exactly like something you'd do."
Lyra laughed softly.
"I suppose it does."
She looked toward the distant horizon.
"Before I left..."
"I had already begun having strange dreams."
"The same dream..."
"Over..."
"And over again."
Aizen became curious.
"What kind of dream?"
"I kept seeing someone."
"I could never clearly see his face."
"But..."
"I knew he was waiting for me."
"The dream always ended the same way."
"He stood alone..."
"...inside the Ancient Forest."
Her ocean-blue eyes slowly turned toward Aizen.
"And when I finally arrived..."
"I found you."
Aizen stopped walking.
"...Me?"
She nodded.
"You were unconscious."
"Wounded."
"Surrounded by monsters."
"And despite everything..."
"I immediately recognized you."
"The boy from my dreams."
Aizen remained speechless.
Lyra smiled warmly.
"That's why I decided to stay."
"I wasn't certain whether fate truly existed."
"But..."
"My heart told me that meeting you wasn't a coincidence."
"So I helped you."
"And from that day onward..."
"I chose to continue traveling beside you."
A gentle silence followed.
The forest around them felt strangely peaceful.
After a while, Aizen scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"So..."
"That's why your eyes kept changing."
"I thought you somehow kept replacing them with new ones."
Lyra stared at him for a second.
Then...
She burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"You really thought that?"
Aizen shrugged sheepishly.
"I didn't know how dragons worked."
She wiped away a small tear from laughing.
"You're unbelievable."
Aizen smiled.
"I'm still learning."
Lyra looked at him for a moment longer.
"...I'm glad."
The journey continued beneath the emerald canopy, neither of them realizing that, little by little, the distance between their hearts had begun to shrink.
Neither of them spoke for a while after Lyra finished her story.
The forest path stretched endlessly before them as golden rays of sunlight filtered through the towering branches above.
Aizen kept his eyes on the road, quietly thinking about everything Lyra had told him.
"So..."
"You've been carrying all of that by yourself."
Lyra gave a small smile.
"I suppose I have."
"...That must've been lonely."
She looked at him in surprise.
After a brief silence, she answered softly.
"It was."
"But not anymore."
The two continued walking side by side beneath the towering trees.
A gentle silence settled between them.
It wasn't the awkward kind.
It was peaceful.
The kind of silence shared by two people who no longer needed to fill every moment with words.
The wind carried the scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers through the forest, while rays of sunlight painted the narrow trail in patches of gold.
Aizen quietly smiled to himself.
"I'm glad."
Lyra glanced at him.
"Hm?"
"I'm glad you found me."
His words were simple.
There wasn't a trace of hesitation behind them.
"If you hadn't..."
"I probably would've died inside that forest."
Lyra's expression softened.
"You don't have to thank me."
"I simply followed what my heart told me."
Aizen laughed quietly.
"Even so..."
"I'm grateful."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Lyra lowered her gaze, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest.
"...He's so straightforward."
She smiled to herself.
"He says things that would embarrass most people..."
"...yet he doesn't even realize it."
Her eyes slowly drifted toward Aizen.
The boy she had first met inside the Ancient Forest had changed.
No...
He had grown.
His jet-black hair swayed gently with each step, contrasting beautifully against his bright golden eyes that reflected the sunlight filtering through the leaves above.
He was now noticeably taller than before.
His shoulders had broadened after three years of relentless training.
The once-slender boy had become lean and athletic, every movement carrying the confidence of an experienced warrior.
Even the way he walked had changed.
Every step was calm.
Steady.
Alert.
Without realizing it...
He instinctively positioned himself slightly ahead of her.
Protecting her.
Just in case danger appeared.
Lyra blinked.
"...When did he become this dependable?"
A faint blush slowly crept onto her cheeks.
"W-Wait..."
"When did Aizen get this tall?"
"Wasn't he shorter than me three years ago?"
Her crimson thoughts only made her face warmer.
"N-No..."
"Stop thinking about things like that."
She quickly shook her head, hoping to scatter the embarrassing thoughts before they grew any stronger.
"Hm?"
Aizen turned around.
"Did you say something, Lyra?"
Her eyes widened.
"A-Ah!"
"N-No!"
"I was just..."
She hurriedly searched for an excuse.
"...Thinking about dinner."
Aizen tilted his head.
"Dinner?"
She nodded rapidly.
"Y-Yes!"
"We still have a long way to travel."
"We should find a place to camp before sunset."
Aizen smiled without suspecting anything.
"Good idea."
"We've been walking since morning."
"I'll start looking for a safe place."
He looked around the forest carefully.
"The ground should be flat."
"There should be fresh water nearby."
"And preferably no monster nests."
Lyra sighed quietly in relief.
"...That was close."
She gently placed a hand over her chest.
"Why am I acting like this?"
"This feeling..."
"It's strange."
Her heart beat just a little faster than usual.
"Maybe..."
"It's because we've spent so much time together."
She looked toward Aizen once more.
He was already inspecting the surrounding trees, completely focused on finding a campsite.
"...Or maybe..."
She smiled unconsciously.
"...it's because he's always thinking about protecting me."
The thought startled her.
"N-No..."
"I shouldn't jump to conclusions."
She lightly slapped her own cheeks.
"Get yourself together, Lyra."
Completely unaware of the battle taking place inside her mind, Aizen suddenly raised his voice.
"Lyra!"
"I found something!"
His cheerful shout echoed through the forest.
Lyra looked up immediately.
"I'm coming!"
She hurried toward his voice, gently pushing aside a thick bush that blocked her path.
The scenery beyond made her stop for a moment.
A narrow stream flowed peacefully between smooth stone banks, its crystal-clear water sparkling beneath the afternoon sun.
Small fish swam lazily through the gentle current.
Wildflowers bloomed along the edges of the stream, while a wide patch of flat ground rested beneath several ancient trees.
It was naturally sheltered from the wind and hidden well enough that passing monsters would be unlikely to notice it.
Aizen knelt beside the stream, letting the cool water run through his fingers before looking back at her with a satisfied grin.
"What do you think?"
"Doesn't this place look perfect?"
Lyra slowly smiled.
"It does."
"It's peaceful..."
"And defensible."
She looked around one final time before nodding.
"We'll stay here tonight."
Aizen clapped his hands together.
"Then I'll set up the camp."
Lyra held up the storage ring on her finger.
"I'll prepare dinner while you work."
"You've earned a proper meal."
Aizen's eyes lit up immediately.
"Really?"
She laughed softly.
"Really."
"Just don't expect me to cook enough for five people this time."
Aizen rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"One serving is enough."
"...As long as it's your cooking."
Lyra couldn't help but smile as she watched him hurry toward the clearing.
"...He's impossible."
Yet somehow...
That sincerity was exactly what made traveling with him feel so enjoyable.
Aizen walked toward the center of the clearing, carefully observing the surrounding terrain.
He crouched down and scooped up a handful of soil.
"...Solid."
The ground wasn't too soft, nor was it covered in tangled roots.
It was the perfect place to set up camp.
He nodded to himself.
"This should work."
Raising his right hand, Aizen focused the mana flowing through his body.
A faint breeze circled around him before strands of brown magical energy spread across the earth.
"Earth Magic."
The ground rumbled softly.
Large stones slowly sank beneath the soil while uneven patches of dirt smoothed themselves out.
Within moments, a wide, flat campsite had formed beneath the ancient trees.
"There."
"That should make sleeping much more comfortable."
Meanwhile, Lyra walked toward the nearby stream.
The clear water reflected the evening sky, now beginning to glow with warm shades of orange as the sun slowly descended.
She knelt beside the water and dipped her fingers into the gentle current.
"...Fresh."
Perfect for cooking.
Opening her storage ring, she began taking out several ingredients they had packed before leaving the magical cabin.
Fresh lamb.
Vegetables.
Herbs.
A small iron pot.
Wooden bowls.
Everything was still perfectly preserved inside the enchanted ring.
"The cabin really prepared us well..."
she murmured.
Back at the campsite, Aizen unfolded the travel pack.
"...Let's see..."
"The cooking tools are there..."
"The blankets..."
"The lantern..."
He continued unpacking until his hand suddenly froze.
"...Huh?"
His golden eyes blinked.
He searched again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
"...No way."
He turned the bag upside down.
Only a single folded tent landed on the ground.
Aizen stared at it in complete silence.
"..."
"...We only brought one?"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I could've sworn there were two..."
Then he remembered.
The second tent.
They had left it inside the magical cabin.
"...Oops."
A helpless laugh escaped his lips.
"I guess I forgot."
There wasn't much he could do now.
The cabin had already disappeared behind the barrier.
Going back was impossible.
"...Well..."
"We'll figure something out."
He unfolded the tent anyway and began assembling it.
To his surprise, his hands moved almost instinctively.
Each pole slid perfectly into place.
Every knot tightened with practiced precision.
"...Strange."
He frowned slightly.
"I've never set up a tent before..."
"So why does this feel..."
"...so familiar?"
A brief image flashed across his mind.
A peaceful mountainside.
The sound of rushing water.
Someone laughing beside a campfire.
Then—
The memory vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"...Again..."
Aizen gently pressed a hand against his forehead.
"These dreams..."
"...Or memories."
"They're becoming more frequent."
He let out a quiet sigh before shaking his head.
"No."
"I'll think about that another time."
With one final adjustment, the tent stood firmly upon the flattened earth.
Aizen smiled proudly at his work.
"There."
"Home for tonight."
Just then, a delicious aroma drifted through the evening air.
His ears twitched immediately.
"...!"
Lyra's cooking.
His stomach growled loudly enough that even he laughed.
"I guess dinner's almost ready."
Smiling to himself, Aizen made his way toward the stream, completely unaware that the quiet night ahead would awaken another fragment of the life he had once forgotten.
The stream flowed gently through the clearing, its crystal-clear water reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun.
Large stones rested along the riverbank while tall trees formed a natural wall around the campsite, shielding it from the wind.
The constant sound of flowing water created a peaceful rhythm.
It was the perfect place to spend the night.
Aizen knelt beside the stream and dipped both hands into the cool water.
"...This should be safe."
He splashed some onto his face before standing again.
Behind him, Lyra had already begun preparing dinner.
She moved with practiced elegance, placing fresh ingredients onto a wooden board she had taken from her storage ring.
The meat came from the magical cabin they had left behind earlier that day.
Even after three years, it remained perfectly fresh.
Nearby herbs filled the air with a pleasant fragrance as she carefully seasoned the lamb.
Aizen watched for a moment before smiling.
"You're amazing."
Lyra looked up.
"Hm?"
"You somehow make every meal taste incredible."
"The ingredients are always the same."
"But whenever you cook..."
"It feels completely different."
A faint blush appeared across Lyra's cheeks.
"...Thank you."
"Now stop staring and finish setting up camp."
"Right!"
Aizen laughed before walking toward the open clearing.
He placed the folded tent onto the ground.
"Let's see..."
"I'll make the floor first."
He placed one hand against the earth.
A soft brown magic circle spread beneath his palm.
Earth Magic.
The uneven ground trembled gently.
Loose rocks sank into the soil while roots shifted beneath the surface.
Within moments, the rough forest floor transformed into a perfectly level platform.
"There."
"Much better."
Aizen unfolded the tent before securing each support with surprising speed.
After three years of training, even simple tasks had become second nature.
Before long...
The small traveling tent stood proudly beside the stream.
"...Finished."
He nodded in satisfaction.
Then...
His smile slowly disappeared.
"...Wait."
He looked inside.
Silence.
"..."
"...There's only one bed."
Aizen blinked.
"...Oh."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I..."
"I forgot..."
The second tent.
It was still inside the magical cabin.
Far beyond the barrier they had already left.
"...Well."
"It's too late now."
He let out a helpless laugh.
"I guess we'll just have to manage for one night."
Completely unaware of how awkward that arrangement might become...
Aizen simply walked back toward the fire.
The rich aroma of roasted lamb filled the clearing.
Fresh herbs crackled softly over the fire as the meat slowly turned golden brown.
Beside it rested warm bread and lightly grilled vegetables.
Lyra carefully sliced the meat before handing Aizen a wooden plate.
"Dinner's ready."
Aizen's golden eyes practically sparkled.
"It smells incredible."
He eagerly took his first bite.
"...!"
His ears twitched.
His tail nearly wagged behind him.
"This..."
"It's amazing!"
"The meat's so tender!"
"And these herbs..."
"They're perfect!"
Lyra couldn't help smiling.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I don't like it."
"I love it."
Aizen continued eating enthusiastically.
"I swear..."
"The animals inside that magical cabin must have eaten nothing but the healthiest grass in the world."
Lyra laughed quietly.
"Or maybe..."
"You've finally learned the difference between cooking and burning food."
"...Ouch."
Aizen dramatically placed a hand over his chest.
"I'm still recovering from that."
"You should."
She giggled.
"The kitchen certainly hasn't."
The two shared a quiet laugh.
It was simple.
Peaceful.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them thought about kingdoms.
Or revenge.
Or war.
They were simply two young travelers sharing dinner beneath the stars.
And somehow...
That was enough.
The peaceful silence lingered between them as they continued eating.
Above them, the evening sky slowly shifted from brilliant shades of orange into deep crimson.
The first stars gradually appeared one by one, decorating the heavens like scattered jewels.
A cool breeze drifted through the clearing, carrying the refreshing scent of the nearby stream and the surrounding pine trees.
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
Words weren't necessary.
After everything they had experienced together—the Trial Dungeon, Garroth's betrayal, the three years inside the hidden sanctuary, and the battle against the Warden Ogre—
Simply sitting beside a campfire felt strangely comforting.
The crackling flames danced before them, casting warm light across their faces.
Aizen leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"I'm full..."
Lyra smiled as she cleaned the wooden plates.
"I'm glad."
"You've always had a big appetite."
"Can you blame me?"
Aizen laughed.
"After eating your cooking every day for three years, I'd probably starve if I had to eat my own food again."
Lyra covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I still remember your first meal."
Aizen immediately buried his face in his hands.
"Please..."
"Don't remind me."
"You actually survived eating that."
"So did you."
"I only took one bite."
"...Fair point."
The two burst into quiet laughter once again.
The sound echoed softly through the forest before disappearing into the night.
Eventually...
The fire burned lower.
Only glowing embers remained.
Aizen stood and stretched his arms above his head.
"Well..."
"We should probably sleep."
"We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
Lyra nodded.
"You're right."
They both walked toward the tent Aizen had finished earlier.
Aizen pushed aside the entrance flap and stepped inside.
"..."
He froze.
"...Huh?"
Lyra tilted her head.
"What is it?"
Aizen slowly looked around the small interior.
There was only a single sleeping mat.
One blanket.
One pillow.
"..."
"...I made a mistake."
Lyra peeked inside.
Her crimson eyes widened.
"...There's..."
"...only one bed."
Silence.
Neither of them spoke.
The only sound was the distant chirping of insects outside.
Aizen scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I..."
"I completely forgot about the second tent."
"We left it back at the cabin."
"I didn't even realize until just now."
His ears drooped apologetically.
"Sorry..."
Lyra blinked several times before letting out a small sigh.
"...It can't be helped."
"We're already too far away to go back."
Aizen immediately nodded.
"I'll sleep outside."
"It's my mistake."
Before he could leave—
Lyra gently grabbed the edge of his sleeve.
"You'll catch a cold."
"..."
"We'll just..."
"...share it."
The moment those words left her mouth—
She immediately regretted saying them so naturally.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"I-I mean..."
"It's only for tonight."
"We're companions."
"So..."
"It shouldn't matter."
Aizen blinked innocently.
"That's true."
"We've survived much worse together."
His completely straightforward answer only made Lyra blush even harder.
"..."
"Why is he so oblivious..."
she muttered quietly under her breath.
"Hm?"
"Nothing!"
She quickly looked away.
"I was talking to myself."
Aizen simply smiled.
"If you're sure."
He entered the tent without thinking anything of it.
Lyra remained outside for another moment.
She placed both hands over her warm cheeks.
"W-What am I even thinking...?"
"He doesn't even realize..."
She let out a long sigh.
"...Calm down, Lyra."
"It's just one night."
"Nothing strange is going to happen."
...At least—
That's what she kept telling herself.
After taking a deep breath, she quietly entered the tent behind him.
The peaceful forest slowly fell silent.
Far above the trees...
The twin moons of Tellus illuminated the endless night sky.
And as both travelers closed their eyes...
Neither of them realized that, before dawn arrived—
Aizen would once again glimpse the forgotten life hidden deep within his soul.
Night completely embraced the Ancient Forest.
The soft chirping of insects echoed through the trees while a cool breeze gently rustled the leaves overhead.
The campfire outside had long since faded into glowing embers, leaving only the silver light of Tellus' twin moons to illuminate the quiet clearing.
Inside the tent...
Everything was peaceful.
Aizen slept soundly on one side of the bedroll, his steady breathing filling the silence.
Lyra lay beside him, facing the opposite direction.
Her long silver-white hair spilled gracefully across the blanket like strands of moonlight.
Although she had insisted she was perfectly calm...
Sleep refused to come easily.
"..."
She slowly opened her ocean-blue eyes.
"...Why am I still awake?"
She sighed quietly.
The tent was small.
Smaller than she had expected.
She could easily hear Aizen breathing only inches away.
Her face gradually warmed.
"...Calm down."
"We've traveled together for years."
"This is only because we forgot the second tent."
"Nothing more."
She gently turned her head.
The moonlight filtering through the fabric illuminated Aizen's sleeping face.
His jet-black hair rested messily against the pillow.
Even while asleep, his expression remained surprisingly peaceful.
"..."
"He really has changed..."
Three years ago...
He had been shorter than her.
His face had still carried the innocence of a young boy.
Now...
At seventeen years old...
He had grown considerably taller.
His shoulders had broadened through years of relentless training.
His once-slender frame had become lean and athletic, built by countless battles and endless practice with his spear.
Yet despite his growth...
His bright golden eyes—when open—still held the same kindness she had first seen inside the Trial Dungeon.
The same kindness that had made him risk his life for someone he had only just met.
Lyra smiled to herself.
"...You're still the same."
"A little reckless."
"A terrible cook."
"And far too kind."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"...Impossible."
Embarrassed by her own thoughts, she quickly turned onto her other side.
"I really need to sleep..."
Within minutes...
Her breathing finally slowed.
The exhaustion from the day's journey quietly claimed her.
Silence returned to the tent once more.
...
But while Lyra drifted peacefully into sleep—
Aizen's dream had already begun.
Darkness.
Endless darkness.
Then—
A single drop of rain fell from the sky.
Ripples spread across an endless black ocean beneath his feet.
"...Where..."
"...am I?"
Aizen slowly opened his eyes.
He stood alone in a world consumed by darkness.
There was no forest.
No mountains.
No stars.
Only endless water stretching toward the horizon.
Then...
A voice echoed through the void.
A voice both unfamiliar...
Yet strangely nostalgic.
"Raizen..."
Aizen froze.
"...Raizen?"
The name felt distant.
Foreign.
Yet...
At the same time...
Painfully familiar.
Before he could react—
The darkness around him shattered like broken glass.
Countless fragments of light burst into existence.
Each fragment carried pieces of memories that did not belong to Aizen Arcime...
But to someone else.
Someone who had lived another life.
A young boy laughed as he chased his little sister beneath blooming cherry blossom trees.
A stern yet gentle old man corrected his martial arts stance inside a traditional dojo.
Teenagers cheered loudly while calling someone...
"Boss!"
Aizen instinctively reached toward the floating memories.
"...Who..."
"...are you?"
The fragments answered not with words—
But with another name.
Raizen Hayashi.
And for the first time...
The forgotten past began opening its doors.
The countless fragments of light slowly drifted toward him.
One by one...
They surrounded Aizen like stars in the night sky.
The moment his fingertips brushed the nearest fragment—
Everything changed.
Bright sunlight.
Children laughing.
The scent of fresh spring blossoms filled the air.
Aizen found himself standing in the middle of a spacious courtyard surrounded by traditional Japanese buildings.
Rows of cherry blossom trees swayed gently in the warm breeze, their pink petals drifting gracefully through the sky.
Wooden training dummies stood neatly arranged across the courtyard.
The rhythmic sound of bamboo swords striking echoed in the distance.
"...This place..."
He slowly looked around.
"I've..."
"...been here before."
No...
Not Aizen.
Someone else.
His vision suddenly shifted.
He was no longer watching from afar.
Instead...
He was seeing through another person's eyes.
A pair of youthful hands entered his vision.
Human hands.
Free of claws.
He slowly clenched them into fists.
"...These aren't mine."
A cheerful voice suddenly echoed nearby.
"Big brother!"
A small girl, no older than seven, ran across the courtyard as fast as her tiny legs could carry her.
Her long black hair bounced behind her while a bright smile lit up her face.
Without slowing down—
She threw herself into his arms.
"Oof!"
The young man laughed as he caught her effortlessly.
"You'll knock me over one of these days, Sarah."
"But you always catch me!"
She pouted before giggling.
"That's because you're my big brother."
The warmth in her smile...
The innocence in her voice...
Made Aizen's heart ache for reasons he couldn't explain.
"...Sarah..."
He unconsciously whispered her name.
The little girl tilted her head.
"Hm?"
Before he could answer—
Another voice interrupted them.
"Raizen."
Deep.
Calm.
Authoritative.
Both children immediately turned toward the wooden veranda.
An elderly man stood there with his arms folded behind his back.
Though age had painted streaks of silver through his dark hair, his posture remained perfectly straight.
His sharp eyes carried decades of wisdom.
Even standing still...
He radiated quiet strength.
Takano Hayashi.
Grandmaster of the Hayashi Dojo.
The strongest martial arts master in Japan.
He looked directly at the young man before him.
"Your stance is getting sloppy."
Raizen scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"I just finished today's classes, Grandpa."
"And?"
Takano raised an eyebrow.
"Do you believe your opponents will patiently wait for you to rest?"
"...No."
"Exactly."
The old master stepped into the courtyard.
Without warning—
He struck.
His wooden practice sword shot forward like lightning.
Clack!
Raizen instinctively raised his own training sword, barely managing to block the attack.
The impact echoed throughout the courtyard.
"Good."
"But still too slow."
Takano disappeared.
Clack!
Another strike.
Then another.
And another.
Each swing came faster than the last.
Raizen retreated across the courtyard, blocking every attack with growing determination.
Sweat formed across his forehead.
His breathing became heavier.
Yet...
His eyes never left his grandfather.
Finally—
Takano lowered his sword.
A faint smile appeared beneath his stern expression.
"You've improved."
"But improvement is meaningless if you stop here."
Raizen smiled confidently.
"I won't."
"I'll become even stronger."
The old master nodded once.
"I know."
From nearby—
Sarah clapped excitedly.
"Big brother is amazing!"
Raizen laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm still a long way from catching Grandpa."
Takano allowed himself a small chuckle.
"Perhaps."
"But among your generation..."
"There is no one stronger."
The memory shimmered.
Its edges slowly began dissolving like mist.
Aizen reached toward it.
"Wait..."
"I want to know more..."
But the memory continued to fade.
Another fragment of light drifted forward.
This one...
Felt different.
Louder.
Filled with shouting.
With cheering.
With the excitement of youth.
And before Aizen could steady himself—
The next memory swallowed him whole.
The world around him blurred once again.
The dojo...
The cherry blossoms...
Sarah...
Everything dissolved into countless particles of light.
For a brief moment...
There was only darkness.
Then—
The ringing of a school bell echoed through the air.
Ring...
Ring...
Ring...
Aizen slowly opened his eyes.
"..."
He now stood in the hallway of a large high school.
Sunlight streamed through rows of tall classroom windows, illuminating polished wooden floors.
Dozens of students walked past one another, chatting and laughing as if they hadn't a single worry in the world.
The uniforms were unfamiliar.
Black blazers.
White shirts.
Red neckties.
"...A school?"
Aizen quietly murmured.
"I've never seen buildings like these..."
The memory suddenly pulled him forward once more.
His vision settled into another pair of eyes.
Once again...
He wasn't Aizen Arcime.
He was...
Raizen Hayashi.
A backpack rested casually over one shoulder as he walked down the hallway.
Unlike the timid students around him...
Raizen carried himself with quiet confidence.
His expression remained calm.
Relaxed.
Yet every student who passed instinctively stepped aside.
Some bowed their heads respectfully.
Others whispered among themselves.
"That's him..."
"The strongest guy in school..."
"I heard he defeated thirty delinquents by himself last month."
"Seriously?"
"My older brother goes here."
"He said nobody has ever beaten Raizen."
Another group of students smiled brightly as they waved.
"Morning, Boss!"
"Boss!"
"You're here early today!"
Raizen simply smiled and lifted one hand.
"Morning."
His voice was calm.
Friendly.
Without arrogance.
Aizen watched everything unfold in silence.
"...Boss?"
"He was... respected?"
It wasn't the respect born from fear.
Nor authority.
People genuinely admired him.
He helped those around him.
Protected them.
Led them.
The memory continued moving.
As Raizen walked across the school courtyard...
Several rough-looking boys suddenly blocked his path.
Their uniforms were untidy.
Their expressions hostile.
One of them cracked his knuckles before grinning.
"So..."
"You're Hayashi?"
Raizen stopped walking.
"...Can I help you?"
The tallest boy laughed mockingly.
"You're awfully confident."
"They keep calling you the strongest."
"I wanted to see if the rumors were true."
Several more delinquents stepped out from behind nearby buildings.
One...
Five...
Ten...
Nearly twenty young men surrounded him.
Students in the distance immediately stopped walking.
"...Oh no."
"They're from another school."
"They came to challenge Boss."
"Someone call the teachers!"
Raizen let out a small sigh.
"...Do we really have to do this?"
The leader smirked.
"What?"
"Scared?"
Raizen quietly loosened his school tie.
Then placed his backpack neatly on a nearby bench.
"..."
"I just don't want any of you getting seriously hurt."
The surrounding delinquents burst into laughter.
"Hear that?"
"He thinks he can beat all of us!"
"What an idiot!"
The leader pointed directly at him.
"Get him!"
In an instant—
All twenty rushed forward.
The memory froze.
The scene itself seemed to tremble.
Even Aizen felt his heartbeat quicken.
"...What happened next...?"
The answer came immediately.
The memory resumed.
And the fight...
Began.
The first delinquent swung a heavy punch toward Raizen's face.
Raizen didn't panic.
He simply took a single step to the side.
The fist cut through empty air.
"...Too slow."
Before the attacker could react—
Raizen's palm struck the young man's chest.
Thud!
The impact wasn't loud.
Yet the force behind it sent the delinquent stumbling several meters backward before collapsing onto the pavement.
"W-What?!"
Another charged from behind.
Without even looking, Raizen ducked beneath a steel piipe.
The weapon whistled over his head.
He pivoted smoothly on one foot.
His elbow struck the attacker's ribs.
Crack!
The young man cried out before falling to his knees, clutching his side.
A third rushed in.
Then a fourth.
Then a fifth.
Raizen's movements remained calm.
Every dodge flowed naturally into another strike.
Every attack was precise.
No movement was wasted.
To an outsider...
It almost looked like a dance.
Aizen watched in complete disbelief.
"...He's..."
"...incredible."
Raizen wasn't relying on overwhelming strength.
Nor incredible speed.
He simply understood every movement before it happened.
Each opponent's balance.
Each opening.
Each mistake.
His grandfather's teachings echoed faintly within the memory.
*"The strongest warrior isn't the one who strikes first."*
*"It's the one who understands the battlefield."*
Another attacker swung wildly.
Raizen caught the young man's wrist.
Twisted gently.
The steel pipe slipped from his hand.
Before it even touched the ground—
Raizen caught it.
Spun once.
Then struck three attackers across their shoulders in rapid succession.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
All three collapsed immediately.
"...He's using their own weapon..."
Aizen whispered.
"...Without hurting them too badly."
Despite the overwhelming odds...
Raizen never aimed for vital points.
Every strike disabled.
None were meant to kill.
Within less than a minute...
Bodies covered the courtyard.
Some groaned in pain.
Others stared at the sky in complete disbelief.
Only one person remained standing.
The leader.
His confident grin had completely vanished.
"W-What..."
"What kind of monster are you...?"
Raizen calmly picked up his backpack.
He dusted off his school uniform as though nothing had happened.
"...I'm not a monster."
He slung the bag over his shoulder.
"My grandfather simply taught me that strength exists to protect people."
He looked directly into the leader's frightened eyes.
"So don't waste yours bullying those weaker than you."
The leader instinctively stepped backward.
"..."
He couldn't even answer.
Raizen walked past him without another word.
As he disappeared down the school path...
The students who had witnessed everything erupted into cheers.
"Boss!"
"That was amazing!"
"I told you nobody could beat him!"
"He's unbelievable!"
Raizen only scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...It's really not that impressive."
The crowd laughed.
To them...
Their "Boss" had once again protected the school without seriously injuring anyone.
Watching from within the dream...
Aizen felt something strange stir deep inside his heart.
The confidence.
The movements.
Even the way Raizen spoke...
It all felt...
Familiar.
"...Why..."
"...does it feel like I'm watching myself?"
Before he could search for the answer—
The memory rippled once more.
The cheers slowly faded.
The bustling courtyard disappeared.
Replacing it...
Was a quiet hallway bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun.
And standing alone beside one of the classroom windows...
Was a girl he had never seen before.
Long black hair swayed gently in the breeze.
She clutched several books tightly against her chest.
Her soft purple eyes looked out toward the cherry blossom trees beyond the school grounds.
For reasons Aizen couldn't explain...
The moment he saw her—
His heart skipped a beat.
The next memory...
Was about to begin.
The hallway remained silent.
Outside the windows...
Cherry blossom petals drifted peacefully through the afternoon breeze.
Raizen slowed his footsteps.
He wasn't sure why.
Something about the girl standing by the window drew his attention.
She seemed...
Different.
Not because of her appearance.
But because of the lonely atmosphere surrounding her.
She quietly gazed outside, seemingly lost in thought.
The books she carried were pressed tightly against her chest.
Almost as though they were the only thing keeping her company.
"..."
Raizen watched for only a moment before turning away.
It's none of my business.
Just as he took another step—
Several voices echoed from the opposite end of the hallway.
"There she is."
"I told you she'd still be here."
Three girls wearing the same school uniform approached with smug expressions.
The one in front folded her arms.
"So..."
"You ignored us again."
The girl by the window slowly lowered her eyes.
"...I'm sorry."
"I was reading."
"Oh?"
One of the girls snatched a book from her arms.
"You always have some excuse."
Another laughed.
"Maybe that's why nobody wants to talk to you."
The black-haired girl remained silent.
She simply reached out.
"...Please."
"Give it back."
Instead...
The book was tossed carelessly onto the floor.
Several loose pages slipped free.
The three girls laughed.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Run to a teacher?"
"Or cry again?"
Raizen stopped walking.
"..."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"I guess..."
"...it is my business after all."
His footsteps echoed softly through the hallway.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The three girls turned toward him.
"...Huh?"
The moment they recognized who it was—
Their confident expressions disappeared.
"R-Raizen..."
"What are you doing here?"
Raizen calmly walked past them.
Without saying a word, he bent down and picked up the scattered books.
He carefully dusted them off before placing each one back into the girl's hands.
"There."
"I don't think books deserve to be treated like that."
The girl looked up in surprise.
Her beautiful purple eyes met his.
For just a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
"Th-Thank you..."
she whispered.
Raizen smiled warmly.
"You're welcome."
Then he looked toward the three girls.
His smile didn't disappear.
But his voice became noticeably firmer.
"If you've got time to bully someone..."
"You've got time to improve yourselves."
The hallway fell silent.
Not one of them dared to answer.
After witnessing what Raizen had done to twenty delinquents earlier that day...
None of them wanted to test his patience.
One of the girls nervously looked away.
"...L-Let's go."
Within seconds...
The three hurried down the hallway without another word.
Silence returned once again.
The girl hugged her books tightly against her chest.
"...Thank you."
"My name is Miyako Mizaki."
She bowed politely.
"It's... nice to meet you."
Raizen smiled and returned the bow.
"Raizen Hayashi."
"It's nice to meet you too."
Neither of them realized it then...
But that small encounter beneath the warm afternoon sunlight—
Would become the beginning of a love story...
One that fate itself would refuse to let last forever.
The following days passed quietly.
What had begun as a chance meeting gradually became part of Raizen's everyday life.
Every morning...
As soon as he entered the school gates...
His eyes would unconsciously search the crowd.
"..."
Until eventually—
He would find her.
Standing beneath the cherry blossom trees with a gentle smile on her face.
"Good morning, Raizen."
"Morning, Miyako."
Simple greetings.
Nothing more.
Yet somehow...
Those short conversations became the favorite part of his day.
---
At first...
They only talked while walking to class.
Then during lunch.
Eventually...
After school.
Raizen discovered that Miyako loved reading novels and historical books.
She wasn't particularly athletic.
Nor did she enjoy crowded places.
Instead...
She preferred quiet afternoons beneath the shade of the old cherry blossom tree near the school's courtyard.
It quickly became their usual meeting place.
---
"You really read all of these?"
Raizen stared at the stack of books beside her.
Miyako nodded happily.
"I've already read each of them at least twice."
"...Twice?"
She giggled.
"Stories never feel exactly the same after the second reading."
Raizen scratched the back of his head.
"I've never understood people who enjoy reading that much."
She smiled playfully.
"Then I'll just have to make you understand."
Before he could react—
She gently placed one of her favorite novels into his hands.
"Start with this one."
He looked at the cover.
"...Romance?"
Miyako's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"W-Well..."
"It's a good story."
Raizen laughed.
"I'll trust your recommendation."
---
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks slowly became months.
Without realizing it...
The distance between them disappeared.
They laughed together.
Studied together.
Shared lunches together.
Even Sarah had begun asking about the quiet girl her older brother smiled about so often.
"So..."
Sarah teased one evening while eating dinner.
"Is she your girlfriend?"
Raizen nearly choked on his rice.
"Cough—!"
"N-No!"
Takano Hayashi simply chuckled while drinking his tea.
"Hmm."
Sarah crossed her arms.
"I don't believe you."
Raizen sighed dramatically.
"You never believe me."
"Because you're terrible at lying."
The entire dojo echoed with laughter.
---
For the first time in years...
Raizen felt as though life had become peaceful.
No gang fights.
No challenges.
No expectations.
Just ordinary days...
Filled with quiet conversations...
Shared smiles...
And the warmth of someone who accepted him without caring about his reputation.
Without realizing it...
Miyako had become the place where his heart found peace.
And deep within the dream...
Aizen silently watched everything unfold.
"...So..."
"This was..."
"My first love..."
A strange warmth spread through his chest.
It wasn't his own memory.
Yet...
The emotions felt painfully real.
The happiness.
The comfort.
The excitement of seeing someone every single day.
Every feeling reached him as if they belonged to him.
Then...
The peaceful memory slowly began to blur.
Dark clouds gathered above the once-bright sky.
The warm sunlight faded.
The dream...
Was beginning to change.
The gentle breeze that had carried the scent of cherry blossoms suddenly vanished.
An eerie silence descended over the dream.
The bright blue sky darkened beneath heavy storm clouds.
One by one...
The warm memories around Aizen began to shatter like fragile pieces of glass.
Crack...
Crack...
Crack...
"...!"
Aizen instinctively reached out.
"No...!"
But his hand passed straight through the fragments.
The beautiful days he had just witnessed scattered into countless lights before disappearing into darkness.
The peaceful school courtyard...
Vanished.
The Hayashi Dojo...
Disappeared.
Even Miyako's gentle smile faded away.
Everything was swallowed by blackness.
"..."
Then—
A distant ringing echoed through the void.
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
It wasn't a sound that belonged to Tellus.
Nor to the Trial Dungeon.
It came from another world.
Another life.
Light slowly returned.
Not the golden sunlight from before...
But the cold, white glow of fluorescent lamps.
Aizen found himself standing inside a hospital room.
The smell of medicine lingered in the air.
Machines quietly hummed beside a hospital bed.
Lying there...
Was a frail young boy.
His body was thin.
His skin was pale.
An oxygen tube rested beneath his nose.
His breathing was weak.
"...That's..."
Aizen's golden eyes widened.
"It can't be..."
The boy slowly opened his eyes.
Despite looking sick...
Those eyes were filled with determination.
"...Raizen."
Aizen whispered the name almost instinctively.
A woman sitting beside the bed gently smiled through tears.
She held the boy's hand tightly.
"You'll get better soon."
"You promised your little sister, remember?"
The young Raizen forced a weak smile.
"I know, Mom..."
"I'll be okay."
His voice was calm.
But even as a child...
He already understood the truth.
His illness wasn't getting better.
Every passing month...
His body only grew weaker.
The doctors had done everything they could.
Medicine.
Treatment.
Surgery.
Nothing had worked.
Yet...
He never complained.
Never cried.
Never blamed anyone.
Instead...
He smiled.
For the sake of his family.
For the sake of his little sister.
And for the people who believed he would one day stand on his own feet again.
Watching the scene unfold...
Aizen felt an unfamiliar pain tighten around his chest.
"...So before becoming the strongest in school..."
"...Before learning martial arts..."
"...Before meeting Miyako..."
"He was already fighting..."
"...just to stay alive."
The dream continued to unfold.
And Aizen realized...
He had only seen the beginning of Raizen Hayashi's story.
The hospital room slowly faded into darkness.
The steady beeping of the heart monitor became quieter...
Until silence consumed everything once more.
"..."
Then—
Light returned.
This time...
It was the warm glow of the afternoon sun shining through the windows of the Hayashi Dojo.
The rhythmic sound of wooden swords striking against one another echoed throughout the training hall.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
Young Raizen stood in the center of the dojo wearing a traditional white gi.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
His breathing was heavy.
Standing opposite him was an elderly man whose posture alone radiated overwhelming discipline.
Takano Hayashi.
Raizen's grandfather.
The master of the Hayashi Dojo.
The man who had forged generations of martial artists.
Without warning—
Takano lunged forward.
His wooden sword blurred through the air.
Crack!
Raizen barely managed to raise his own weapon in time.
The impact sent him sliding several steps backward.
His hands trembled.
"...Again."
Takano's calm voice echoed across the dojo.
Raizen tightened his grip.
"Yes, Grandpa."
Once more—
He rushed forward.
Their wooden swords collided repeatedly.
Each strike became faster than the last.
Takano never used unnecessary strength.
Every movement was precise.
Every swing carried purpose.
Before Raizen realized it—
Tap.
The tip of Takano's wooden sword rested gently against his forehead.
"...You're dead."
Raizen let out a long sigh before lowering his weapon.
"I lost again."
Takano nodded.
"You relied on strength."
"You forgot to observe."
"The moment you stop thinking..."
"You've already lost."
Raizen silently listened.
Every word his grandfather spoke became engraved into his heart.
Takano slowly walked toward the weapon rack before speaking once more.
"Raizen."
"What makes a warrior strong?"
Raizen answered almost immediately.
"Power."
Takano shook his head.
"No."
"Speed?"
"No."
"Technique?"
Again...
His grandfather shook his head.
Takano smiled faintly before placing a firm hand on Raizen's shoulder.
"A true warrior protects."
"He does not fight because he enjoys violence."
"He fights because there is someone worth protecting."
"If one day you ever raise your fists only for yourself..."
"You will already have lost your way."
Raizen lowered his head.
"...I'll remember that."
Takano nodded proudly.
"I know you will."
Watching from within the dream...
Aizen remained completely silent.
Those words...
They resonated deep within his own heart.
A true warrior protects...
Without realizing it...
That was exactly how he had lived ever since the destruction of the Black Lion Tribe.
He had trained...
Not for glory.
Not for fame.
But to protect those precious to him.
To protect Lyra.
To avenge his family.
To ensure no one else would suffer the same fate.
"..."
Aizen slowly clenched his fist.
"So..."
"Even in another life..."
"I walked the same path."
The dream shifted once again.
The peaceful atmosphere inside the dojo gradually dissolved.
Outside...
Dark clouds quietly gathered above the city.
A cold wind swept across the streets.
Somewhere in the distance...
Police sirens began echoing through the afternoon.
Raizen slowly turned toward the dojo entrance.
His phone vibrated inside his pocket.
He answered the call.
"...Hello?"
For several seconds...
He said nothing.
Then—
His expression changed completely.
The warmth in his eyes vanished.
His face turned pale.
"What...?"
"...Miyako?"
The phone slipped from his trembling hand.
It struck the wooden floor with a dull thud.
Takano immediately stood.
"Raizen?"
The young man didn't answer.
He simply stared toward the open doorway.
As if...
His entire world had just shattered.
The nightmare...
Had finally begun.
The phone remained on the wooden floor beside him.
His breathing became uneven.
"...No..."
"...No..."
Takano immediately sensed something was terribly wrong.
He stepped forward and firmly gripped his grandson's shoulder.
"Raizen."
"What happened?"
Raizen slowly turned around.
His face had turned completely pale.
"They..."
"...they took Miyako."
Silence filled the dojo.
Even the students who had been training moments ago stopped moving.
Takano's expression darkened.
"Who?"
Raizen clenched both fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
"The Kurogane Syndicate..."
"They attacked while she was walking home from school."
"They're demanding that I come alone."
"...Or they'll kill her."
The dojo fell silent.
Everyone knew the name.
The Kurogane Syndicate.
The largest criminal organization in the city.
Unlike ordinary street gangs...
These men possessed firearms, explosives, and enough influence to make even the police hesitate.
Takano slowly closed his eyes.
"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this..."
Raizen looked at him.
"...Grandpa?"
Takano sighed quietly.
"The reason those delinquents challenged you..."
"The reason every gang in the city wanted your position..."
"It wasn't because of pride."
"It was because someone has been searching for the heir of the Hayashi Dojo."
Raizen's eyes widened.
"They've been watching you for a long time."
"And after seeing that they couldn't defeat you directly..."
"They targeted the person closest to your heart."
Raizen lowered his head.
His body trembled.
Not from fear...
But from anger.
An anger so intense...
Even Aizen could feel it through the dream.
"...This happened because of me."
Takano shook his head immediately.
"No."
"This happened because evil people chose to hurt the innocent."
"Never confuse responsibility with guilt."
Raizen remained silent.
His grandfather walked toward the family's weapon cabinet.
With a small key hanging around his neck, he unlocked it.
Inside rested dozens of traditional training weapons.
Wooden swords.
Spears.
Naginatas.
Staffs.
And hanging alone on the very top...
A polished steel bat.
Takano carefully removed it.
He held it in both hands before offering it to Raizen.
"I always hoped..."
"You would never have to use this outside the dojo."
Raizen accepted it with both hands.
The familiar weight immediately settled into his grip.
"This isn't a weapon meant for revenge."
Takano said calmly.
"It's a weapon meant to protect."
"If you're going..."
"Bring her home."
Raizen tightened his grip until his knuckles turned white.
"...I will."
Takano looked directly into his grandson's eyes.
"No matter what happens..."
"Do not abandon your humanity."
"Even if the world abandons theirs."
Raizen nodded.
"I promise."
Without another word...
He turned and sprinted out of the dojo.
The doors slammed open behind him.
His footsteps echoed through the streets as he ran with every ounce of strength he possessed.
Traffic lights.
Crowded intersections.
Endless crowds.
He ignored everything.
Only one thought remained inside his mind.
Miyako.
Please...
Hold on.
I'm coming.
Inside the dream...
Aizen instinctively began running after him.
Although he knew he couldn't change the past...
He couldn't stop himself.
Because somewhere deep within his soul...
It felt as though he wasn't merely watching Raizen anymore.
He was Raizen.
And as the city skyline stretched before them beneath the darkening evening sky...
Aizen felt an overwhelming certainty.
The tragedy he had sensed since the beginning of the dream...
Was finally about to unfold.
Raizen ran through the city streets as if the world behind him no longer mattered.
The evening lights blurred past his vision.
Cars honked.
People shouted.
But none of it reached him clearly.
Only Miyako's name echoed inside his head.
"Please be alive..."
"Please..."
The steel bat rested against his shoulder as he sprinted.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
Yet he didn't slow down.
Not even once.
Aizen followed behind within the dream, unable to stop himself.
He could feel Raizen's desperation.
The fear.
The anger.
The guilt.
It all pressed against his chest like it belonged to him.
After several minutes, Raizen finally reached the edge of the city.
An abandoned industrial district stretched before him.
Rust-covered warehouses.
Broken fences.
Cracked concrete roads.
The entire place felt lifeless.
Like it had been forgotten by the world.
Raizen stopped for the first time.
His breathing was ragged.
Then—
His phone vibrated.
He answered immediately.
"Where is she?!"
A distorted voice chuckled from the other side.
"You came."
"Good."
"I told you to come alone."
"I did."
Raizen's voice shook with restrained fury.
"Where is Miyako?"
The voice laughed again.
"Straight ahead."
"The largest warehouse."
"But listen carefully, Hayashi."
"If we see anyone else..."
"If we even suspect a trap..."
"She dies first."
The call ended.
Raizen lowered the phone slowly.
His grip on the bat tightened.
Then he began walking forward.
Not running anymore.
Walking.
Each step echoed across the empty industrial yard.
The massive warehouse stood ahead of him.
Its metal doors were partially open.
Dim light spilled from inside.
Raizen stopped at the entrance.
He looked around carefully.
Too quiet.
Far too quiet.
A trap.
He knew it.
Yet he stepped inside anyway.
The moment he entered—
The doors slammed shut behind him.
Clang!
The sound echoed through the warehouse.
Aizen felt his heart drop.
Lights flickered on one by one.
Dozens.
Then dozens more.
Raizen looked up.
Men emerged from the shadows.
Armed with metal pipes.
Chains.
Knives.
Wooden bats.
And guns.
At least a hundred.
Aizen's eyes widened.
"...A hundred..."
Raizen stood alone at the center of the warehouse.
The leader stepped forward.
A tall man with slicked-back hair and a scar across his jaw.
"Well, well."
"The famous Raizen Hayashi."
"You actually came alone."
Raizen ignored him.
His eyes searched the warehouse desperately.
Then he saw her.
Miyako.
Tied to a metal pole near the back wall.
Her hands were bound.
Her face was bruised.
But she was alive.
The moment she saw Raizen—
Her eyes widened in horror.
"Raizen!"
"Don't!"
"It's a trap!"
Raizen took one step forward.
"Let her go."
The leader laughed.
"Straight to the point."
"I like that."
He slowly pulled out a handgun.
"But before we negotiate..."
"I want to know something."
He pointed the gun directly at Raizen.
"Was it worth it?"
"Becoming the king of your school?"
"Making every gang in this city look weak?"
Raizen's expression remained cold.
"I don't care about that."
"I came for her."
The leader smirked.
"That's the problem."
"You never cared about the game."
"You just kept winning."
"And people like me..."
He spread his arms toward the surrounding men.
"...don't like being humiliated."
Raizen tightened his grip on the bat.
"Let her go."
The leader's smile disappeared.
"No."
Then he raised his hand.
"Kill him."
The surrounding thugs rushed forward all at once.
The warehouse erupted into chaos.
Raizen moved.
Fast.
The first thug swung a metal pipe.
Raizen ducked beneath it.
Crack!
The bat slammed into the thug's ribs.
The second charged with a knife.
Raizen turned.
Thud!
The bat struck his wrist.
The knife clattered across the floor.
A third thug attacked from behind.
Raizen spun and drove his elbow backward.
The thug collapsed.
Aizen watched in stunned silence.
Raizen wasn't fighting wildly.
Every movement was precise.
Controlled.
Efficient.
Takano Hayashi's training was visible in every strike.
One by one—
The thugs fell.
Five.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Twenty.
The warehouse floor became a battlefield.
The surrounding men hesitated.
Fear began spreading through their ranks.
"He's insane!"
"How is he still standing?!"
"Take him down!"
More rushed in.
Raizen kept moving.
The bat swung again.
And again.
And again.
Each strike carried desperation.
Not pride.
Not arrogance.
Desperation.
Because every second mattered.
Because Miyako was still tied to that pole.
Because if he stopped—
She would die.
Aizen felt his own hands trembling inside the dream.
He wanted to shout.
He wanted to warn him.
He wanted to stop what was coming.
But the dream continued mercilessly.
Raizen fought through the crowd.
Blood stained his school uniform.
Bruises formed across his arms.
His breathing grew heavier.
Yet he kept moving forward.
Toward Miyako.
Toward the back of the warehouse.
Toward the inevitable tragedy waiting for him.
And somewhere deep within the dream—
Aizen realized this memory was no longer just showing him the past.
It was forcing him to feel every ounce of Raizen's pain.
End of chapter 8