Pov Author
Anna sat across from Kiyoshi in the quiet chamber, her hands twisting together nervously in her lap. The dim light from the single lantern flickered, casting moving shadows across the walls. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was heavy, filled with the weight of questions Anna didn't know how to ask and fears she didn't yet understand.
Finally, she exhaled and spoke. "I… I don't understand how I got caught. One moment I was moving through the courtyard, and then… Shoto saved me from the other soldiers. I… I don't know how I survived." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the lingering fear in her chest.
Kiyoshi listened quietly, his dark eyes fixed on her as she recounted the events. He didn't interrupt or offer comfort, only observed her, silently weighing every word. When she finished, he leaned back, fingers steepled, as if calculating the weight of her story.
"I don't understand what's going on," Anna admitted, her voice low. "Who is the hero? Who is the villain?".
Kiyoshi's expression grew serious. "Shou Feng," he said, the name heavy in the air. "He is the villain."
Anna frowned. "Then… why are we saving him?"
When you meet him," Kiyoshi said slowly, "you will understand why. He is strong… invincible. The God of Darkness and Destruction. The Created Weapon of God. Everyone fears him—soldiers, kings, warriors… even the strongest beings tremble before him. His power is unmatched. One strike, one movement, and the world could bend to his will. He is chaos made flesh, but also… the key to many paths that others cannot see. Most importantly he is important for Gods above . They have ordered me to get him free from here and you are my best chance "
Anna listened carefully, absorbing every word.
She didn't know how to respond.
"I… I just want to complete one mission and go home," she whispered, almost to herself.
Kiyoshi nodded. "And that is something I respect. What is it like out there?" he asked, nodding toward the unknown beyond the castle walls.
"Horrible," Anna said simply, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
"Then why do you want to go there?" Kiyoshi pressed, curious.
"Because I have to teach a few people some things," she said, shrugging lightly. Her voice was calm, but the determination in her eyes was clear.
Kiyoshi studied her for a long moment. "You are… like Shou," he said quietly.
Anna said nothing. She didn't know how to reply to that.
"Listen," Kiyoshi continued, "I need to go, but be careful. I can tell that Shou is not present in the castle cell or anywhere near here. Can you handle it?"
Anna shook her head slowly. "I… I don't know," she admitted.
Kiyoshi's lips curved slightly, a rare soft expression on his face. "Come on, be a brave, big girl. I'll send you a maid to help."
Anna nodded, relief washing over her, and Kiyoshi raised his hand. In a soft swirl of light, a maid appeared, calm and professional, yet gentle in her demeanor.
"Thank you for saving me," Anna said softly, clasping her hands together. "Please… don't let me die."
The maid bowed silently, then gestured for Anna to follow her. The girl led Anna out of the chamber, walking through narrow corridors that smelled faintly of herbs and burning oil.
Anna's mind was still spinning from the conversation with Kiyoshi, from the weight of his words, and from the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Finally, they reached a small private room prepared for Anna. It was simple but cozy, furnished with a low bed, a wooden chest, and a small window letting in moonlight. Anna sat on the edge of the bed but found that sleep would not come. Her thoughts were relentless.
Is Alex looking for me? Is he with Lily? What happened to William? Has he found out what happened? What will happen if I go back?
Hours passed slowly. The night seemed endless. When the first hints of dawn began to seep through the curtains, the room was filled with a soft golden chill. The maid returned with a warm bath, and Anna allowed herself a small comfort, sinking into the water as steam curled around her like a protective veil.
Once she had bathed, Anna dressed in a sea-green and white Japanese-style outfit, the fabric soft and flowing, the colors serene. The maid then sat her down, carefully arranging her hair with matching white and green accessories. Anna gazed at her reflection in the mirror, feeling… good, though she still wondered quietly if she was beautiful enough for Alex.
A knock sounded at the door. The maid rose to answer, then returned with a serious expression. "General Kano is here to take you to the healer's tent," she said.
Anna nodded, straightening her posture as she followed. As she stepped outside, she came face-to-face with Shoto, who stared at her, his cheeks slightly flushed. For a full five minutes, no one spoke. Anna felt a strange tension in the air, her chest tightening as she met his unwavering gaze.
Finally, she broke the silence softly. "Shoto…"
He gave a small nod and led her silently through the castle grounds. The closer they approached the healer's tent, the louder the chaos became—shouts, cries, and the hurried clatter of footsteps. Anna's stomach tightened at the noise, and the smell of blood hung thickly in the air.
Inside the tent, the scene was harrowing. Soldiers with severe injuries lay scattered across the floor, some breathing their last, others moaning in pain. A little girl knelt beside a man struggling to breathe, tears streaming down her face. She cried, "Baba… baba…" over and over, clinging desperately to him.
Anna's heart clenched. She moved to the child, kneeling down beside her. "Is this your father?" she asked softly.
The girl nodded, her sobs wracking her small frame. "He… he's going to die any moment now," she whispered.
Anna's eyes swept the tent. Wounded soldiers, frantic healers, and desperate cries surrounded her. She drew a deep breath, trying to calm the panic rising in her chest. She moved closer to the man, noting the deep wound beside his heart. The pain radiated from it, heavy and cruel.
Sighing, Anna closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. She imagined a hospital—clean, sterile, a place where healing was certain. She remembered Kiyoshi healing the rabbit, the soft magic that had wrapped it in safety. She reached out, hands trembling slightly, hovering over the man's chest.
At first… nothing happened.
Anna opened her eyes, frustration gnawing at her. She tried again, harder this time, focusing all her energy, willing her powers to work.
"Anna… will I go home?" The voice of a small boy, watching from the edge of the tent, broke through her focus.It was the same boy who she was looking after back at home , in the hospital .
And then the light came. A white glow enveloped her hands, spreading around the wounded man. The aura of healing wrapped him like a warm blanket. Slowly, the wound began to close, the flesh knitting together perfectly, leaving no scar.
The man lifted slightly from the bed, gasping for air, then collapsed back, breathing heavily but alive. The tent fell silent, everyone watching, their mouths open in awe.
The little girl's eyes filled with tears of relief as she threw herself around her father. "Baba!" she cried, clinging to him tightly.
Anna exhaled, finally allowing herself to relax. Around her, the tent buzzed with whispers, astonishment and disbelief mixing in the air. She had saved a life. She had done what she came to do.
And yet, deep down, questions still lingered. Shou Feng's shadow loomed in the future, Kiyoshi's cryptic warnings echoed, and the uncertainty of the path ahead weighed heavily on her. But for now, in this small, quiet victory, Anna let herself breathe, knowing the journey ahead .
End of the chapter