I stand frozen when he asks, "What was in your head when you touched the crystal, kid?"
My breath thins. No sound comes out.
KRAAK.
SPLASH.
A tree splits clean behind us. The cat growls.
"Kid."
CLACK — he sheathes his sword. His belt presses against my forehead, forcing my face toward him.
"Answer. You touched it?"
"…yeah."
"What?"
"I touched it."
The words scrape out, small and ugly.
THWACK.
A hard strike hits my forehead. Thwack, thwack — each one 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."
A cracked laugh slips out of me, pathetic and trembling. Tears follow without permission.
"Hmph… hmmh… hmn."
He's right. My life is pointless. My mother left before my memories had shape. My father left before I was tall enough to reach his shoulder.
My voice leaves me thin.
"Then kill me."
"As you wish."
THWACK.
Another blow. Blood slides down my cheek. My legs shake, but I don't fall.
"Not enough," I say. "If you're going to kill me, do it properly. Don't hold back."
He goes silent. His blade sinks into the ground.
"I don't want to imagine what someone like you will become," he whispers.
"What does that mean? I didn't ask for pity. Just kill me."
"And I will."
He lifts his sword.
"One thing," I whisper. "Your name. I want to know the name of the man who ends me."
A brief pause.
"…Hiroshiki."
"I'll see you soon… Father… Mother…"
The tip of his blade raises my chin—
SPLASH.
The metal guard of his sword slams into my chest. Darkness climbs fast across my vision.
His voice fades. "My name is Jiza, boy. Remember it."
He stands over me—
Waiting for something I can't 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 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 goes feral.
Above Hiro — Jiza's sword drops fast, a breath from splitting his skull.
---
Far from the ruins of Terravane, deep within a dark castle, four figures sat around a long table.
A parchment lay open before them: Explosion reported at the Terravane Village relic shop, Zepharia Territory.
"Lady had spoken," the first said. "The crystal had awakened. The explosion confirmed it. Who would descend?"
"Not me," the second said. "Acting in haste invited disaster."
"Not me," the third murmured. "She detested premature movement."
Silence.
All eyes shifted to the fourth figure — seated apart, quiet as stone.
"You," the first said softly. "What was your decision… Jiza?"