Hakari and Kage packed their things.
"This is sudden!" Kage exclaimed.
"What are you saying?" Hakari asked, tightening the straps on his bag.
"We've trained non-stop for two years. And now, instead of protecting our nation, we're chasing some fairy tale? An adventure for answers we don't even know exist?"
"I know how absurd it sounds," Hakari said, "but those stone tablets—if they exist, and we can decode them—we might solve everything at once. And don't worry. Koha already has a hero. Akami is here. You and I don't need to stay behind."
"But he's just a child. We all are! I'm thirteen, you're eleven, and he's only ten. What are we supposed to do?"
"Find answers," Hakari said simply. "That's what we're supposed to do. That's what a kid is supposed to do."
Kage scoffed. "I'm sorry, friend, but you sound absurd. You talk like… like you're not even a kid."
"Maybe I'm not," Hakari replied softly. "Maybe I'm just aware. Aware of the world and the weight of choices. Maybe that makes me something else. Tell me—when does a kid become a man?"
"To me," Kage said after a pause, "a kid becomes a man when he grows a beard, gets taller… when he can really fight—or at least look like someone who does."
Hakari smirked. "Now who's sounding like a kid?"
Kage laughed. "I must say—no one can win an argument against you."
"We should go. It's time," Hakari said. "No one's awake yet—we need to leave before sunrise."
They descended the stairs quietly—and froze. Akami stood by the front gate, waiting.
They stepped back into the room.
"We need a plan," Kage whispered.
"Yeah, because I don't think Akami plans on staying behind."
"The last time he agreed to stay, I knew it was because of Heena," Hakari said.
"So… what now?"
"I think I know what to do."
They stepped downstairs again, more confidently this time. Akami turned as they approached.
"We need to talk," Hakari said.
Brother… it's alright. You don't have to explain. I know. And I'm not here to stop you."
"Wait… you're not?" Hakari asked, surprised.
"I came to say goodbye."
"Oh… right… I knew that," Hakari said awkwardly.
Kage chuckled. "Ahem… sure you did."
"Just remember—if you ever need me, tap twice on your left ear. It'll activate our link."
"Good luck, brother. See you soon."
They clasped hands silently. The sun began to rise.
Soon, Hakari and Kage left the main roads behind, traveling toward a secluded village said to be run by elders—elders who obeyed neither the nation's law nor the king's command.
Kage looked around uneasily. "What is this place? It feels abandoned… and it's so dark."
Hakari nodded. "Yes. Look—under that tree… five people standing there."
As Hakari stepped forward, the figures seemed to grow more distant, no matter how close he moved.
"What is this…?" he muttered.
Kage narrowed his eyes. "Why are we getting further from them? Or are they moving away from us?"
Hakari clenched his jaw. "This doesn't make sense."
Kage's expression hardened. "This must be… a Command."
Hakari nodded grimly. "Yes. A Code holder is here."
"But a Code holder… in a place like this?" Kage asked. "And this Command… it doesn't feel ordinary."
Hakari's eyes darkened. "You're right. I remember a story from my childhood. Long ago, a king in Koha—a madman—performed twisted experiments on men, women, and even children."
"Experiments? For what?"
"To obtain a Code," Hakari said. "Not a normal one. A unique Code—not bound to objects or bloodlines. It was called Code 1. Its Command… 'Hide.' He didn't need it. He simply wanted to collect it."
"Wait…" Kage blinked. "He collected Codes? Is that even possible?"
Hakari shrugged. "I don't know. But the point is… he failed. He never obtained Code 1. Instead, he accidentally created something else… a Code called 'I.' Its Command was Illusion."
Kage paused. "So you think one of those figures… is a survivor? One of his test subjects?"
"Perhaps. But why didn't the king take that Code?" Hakari asked.
"Maybe," Kage said slowly, "he thought it was a failure. And the person who received it only awakened its Command later."
Hakari nodded thoughtfully. "You might be right. But then why is he here? Revenge… or something far more dangerous?"