On the night of a full moon, three children were seen dashing through the forest, their tattered gray shirts and short blending with the shadows. Leading the group was a child with disheveled white hair cascading to their shoulder. Their skin, pale as jade, matched their silver fox-like eyes, which gleamed like moonbeams in the darkness.
Behind the albino child trailed a girl, a year younger. Her long black hair flows like a raven's wings down her back. Her emerald green eyes shimmered like a forest teeming with life under the sun's radiant gaze.
Bringing up the rear was the youngest one. A boy with short white one sided bang hair. His eyes resemble that of a sunset, deep purple with a golden orb at the bottom.
"Hurry, almost there" the eldest gasped, stealing glances at the youngsters as they tried to match their pace.
Finally, the trio reached their destination,the edge of a steep cliff. The children drop to the ground, exhausted from constant running. The eldest child looked over the cliff's edge, their eyes caught sight of flickering lights like fireflies at the distance.
"There" the child said as they pointed at the lights. "Go there"
The other two look over the edge, marveling at the breathtaking sight below, stars twinkling in their eyes .
"Are we really going there?" the albino boy asked the oldest with a hint of concern in his voice.
The child nodded. "Yes" they shortly replied, patting the boy's head for reassurance.
"Don't worry Naji!" the girl chimed in the moment, giving the younger a comforting pat on his shoulder. "We will protect each other no matter what happens!".
The smaller boy smiled and nodded at her words. She's right. There's nothing to worry about when they are together.
"Come" the child said as he signaled the two to follow them.
But before the two could respond, the ground below them collapsed in a second.
Time seemed to slow as the child watched with horror as their friends began to fall along with the rocks, each falling in different directions. With their trained reflexes, they lunged towards the edge, grasping desperately for the nearest figure. The hands found its mark, holding it tightly in a protective embrace.
'One more' the child thought, eyes searching for their other friend.
Stretching out their hand, the child tried to reach for their falling friend, but the rocks intervened, hitting their stretched hand with a sickening crack. A short cry left their mouth as they felt pain shoot from their arm, but their eyes remained focused on their friend, one desperate shout before the figure vanished from their sight.
"Mizuki!"
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Atsushi wakes up with a groan, a throbbing pain pulsating through his head. He instinctively scratched his scalp, finding some relief as his fingers grazed over the tender skin.
'Where am I?' was the first question that came to his mind as his eyes wandered around the area. Blinking away the haze of tiredness, his gaze came to halt once they caught sight of a pile of rocks nearby. His memories are still hazy in his head, but he can make a familiar albino holding him in a desperate embrace while reaching out for another. Was he-
Then it clicked.
"Koushi!" the boy exclaimed, scrambling towards the rocks and kneeling beside them.
Without hesitation, he began to lift the rocks one by one, his hands stinging as he bruised them in the process. Time was precious, he shouldn't waste it, not when his friend's life was on the line. Tears welled in his eyes as the weight of fear settled in his chest.
But before despair could fully engulf him, a light footsteps broke the silence. Atsushi's head snapped up, his eyes meeting those of a striking man with piercing ocean eyes.
The man was undeniably attractive, with ginger hair and a commanding presence. Atsushi found himself unable to tear his gaze away, captivated by the man's captive aura.
"Oi kid" the man's voice snapped the boy out of his reverie. He can feel his face heat up from embarrassment as he quickly averted his eyes from the glare.
"Aren't you going to help your friend?" The ginger's eyes move to the pile of rocks behind him.
Realizing his mistake, Atsushi quickly went back to his previous task and started lifting the rocks again. He can't believe he was having a daydream while his friend was dying.
The ginger silently watches the boy struggle to lift the rocks. With a tired sigh, he ran a hand through his bangs at frustration. This would take an hour for him, and apparently, he doesn't have the patience to wait that many minutes. Activating his ability; Upon A Tainted Soul, a dim red light surrounded him.
The sudden activation of an ability made the boy, once again, stare at the man as the aura around him changed. It's his first time feeling another ability's power other than his friends. Though Koushi's power was undoubtedly strong, it wasn't far off the power of the man. He can tell from the aura's scent the power behind the man was one he should avoid at all cost.
Note to self; don't anger the man.
Without giving any verbal command, the rocks began to levitate, floating far away from the pair. Once all the rocks are away, Atsushi hesitates to turn his head around.
"Koushi!!" Atsushi cried out in relief as he unearthed his albino friend, cradling them gently.
Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks as he held Koushi close, grateful for his friend's safety. The sight of the other's chest rising and falling was all the reassurance he needed.
'You're alive, I'm glad'
While the scene unfolds before his eyes, the man remains silent, his thoughts drifting to a memory of the past and a certain someone, one he once called friend.
"Chuuya!"
He shakes his head to shake the memory. The hand on his head returned to its place, clenching into a fist. Now is not the time. He had a mission to do.
Using his ability, the man effortlessly makes the unconscious child float to him, eliciting a desperate cry from the boy. Without looking at the boy, the man began to walk away with the floating child near him.
Having his friend taken from him was enough to snap the self-control and give him a push to pounce on the ginger, a sudden strength surging through his veins. The last thing he saw was the man's eyes before all around him went pitch black. Little did he know, his life was sealed at that point.
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"I've brought the kid you requested, Boss," reported Nakahara Chuuya, the Executive of the Post Mafia, to his Boss. "They are currently in the hospital wing receiving treatment for their injuries."
The boss's grin widened as he set his tea down on his desk, his gaze fixed on the shorter man. Leaning back in his chair, he addressed Chuuya. "Good work, Chuuya," he praised. "I'll inform Dazai about his new apprentice. You are dismissed."
Chuuya nodded slightly, acknowledging the given praise, before turning to leave the office. However, his boss's voice stopped him in the doorway.
"Oh, one more thing, Chuuya," the boss said, amusement evident in his tone. "Congratulations on becoming a mentor. I expect you to train him into a good asset"
There was a brief pause before Chuuya nodded in response and exited the room. As he stood outside the door, he took a deep breath, his expression now etched with a deep frown. Stepping into the hallway, he marched forward with purpose, his mind undoubtedly filled with thoughts of his new, unexpected responsibility.
'Not like I had a choice'
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"Mizuki!!!"
Startled awake, Mizuki found herself drenched in sweat, her head throbbing painfully. Clutching her temples, she fought against the rising tide of darkness threatening to engulf her vision which resulted in more drowsiness.
She shook her head vigorously, attempting to alleviate the pain as she took deep breaths. Though the ache persisted, it dulled slightly, allowing her to survey her surroundings a clearer view.
The room was cramped and shabby, its walls marred by cracks that seemed ready to crumble at any moment. Holes in the ceiling provided scant illumination, casting dim light across the space. Despite its decrepit state, it was a vast improvement from the dark, cold enclosure she had endured before. This room, at least, offered a modicum of comfort she will surely get used to with time.
A creaking sound drew her attention, and she turned to see the door slowly swinging open. Her gaze locked with that of a boy standing in the doorway, his eyes a warm hazel that contrasted with his disheveled appearance.
"Ah, you're awake!" the boy exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up his features.
His hazel eyes, tousled brown hair, and rumpled attire were nothing remarkable, yet there was something about his smile that struck a chord within her. They had only just met, barely even spoke to each other, yet he already seemed to hold a multitude of questions for her. It was a curious encounter, to say the least, and she doesn't fully mind.
After a moment of silence, the boy, Mirai, seemed to gather his thoughts. He took a few hesitant steps closer to Mizuki, stopping at a respectful distance before speaking.
"Um... My name is Mirai," he began, his voice tentative. "What's yours?"
"Mizuki," she replied softly in a hushed voice, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Another awkward silence settled between them, and Mirai fidgeted nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the stretching silence. Summoning his courage, he took a step forward and sat at the edge of the bed, facing Mizuki. For a moment, he simply gazed at her, captivated by the depth of her eyes, like a verdant forest.
"Hey, do you have a place to stay?" Mirai suddenly asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Mizuki pondered his question for a moment. Her mind raced with thoughts of her friends, the promise they had made to stick together no matter the danger they have to face. She took it like an oath, and promised herself to punish herself if she broke the oath, like a noble knight would do.
Yet, here she was, alone and adrift. Though she wasn't entirely to blame for their separation — the fall had torn them apart — she couldn't shake the guilt that weighed heavily on her shoulders.
"No, I don't have anywhere to stay," she admitted finally, the words heavy with resignation.
"I see…" the boy simply responded, an idea popped into his head, almost instantly. "Why don't you stay with us?"
Us? Are there more children like him?
Mizuki's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Staying with Mirai and any other children like him could offer safety and companionship, but her heart ached at the thought of her friends out there alone, well they have each other but still. They were her family, and she couldn't bear the idea of them being lost or in danger. She would never forgive herself if they end up like her previous friends.
Despite her reservations, a strange intuition whispered to her, urging her to stay. Perhaps her friends were safe – wherever they are, and prehabs staying with Mirai would be the right choice.
"Okay, I'll stay with you for a while," Mizuki decided, her voice soft but resolute.
Mirai's eyes lit up with happiness, and before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her in a sudden hug.
"Welcome to the family, Mizuki!"
Mizuki stiffened at the unexpected contact. It felt different from the embraces of her friends, but she allowed it, letting his enthusiasm wash over her.
"Thank you…" she whispers, almost as silent as the wind as she returned the gesture with the same warmth.
As she rested in Mirai's embrace, a silent wish formed in her heart.
I hope you live long.
Pages whisper as the tale unfold,
Following vessels where destinies are strolled,
Will the souls dance in truth untold,
On the path where mystiques takes hold.