When Kite opened his eyes, he found himself in a dark void.
He gasped as he saw a small boy crying in the distance. His hair was purple like lavender. It reminded Kite of the boy that Will mentioned.
"You okay?" Kite whispered as he approached the trembling boy.
The boy sniffed and turned his toward him.
"W-who are you?" he asked, wiping his eyes.
"I'm Kite. Why are you sad?"
The boy hicked. "Mama and Papa are gone and big sis left me to attend school in another country. And my only friend moved to another country too."
"Your parents are gone?"
"They walked the towering staircase."
Kite gulped. Did he mean they died?
He sat down beside him in the dark sea and wondered what he could tell the boy to make him stop crying.
Kite felt a pang of empathy as he looked at the trembling boy. The boy's lavender hair shimmered faintly in the darkness, and his tear-streaked face reflected a deep sense of loss and loneliness. Kite took a deep breath, searching for the right words to comfort him.
"It's hard when the people we love aren't with us anymore," Kite said softly, trying to keep his voice gentle and soothing. "But even if they're not here, they still love you."
The boy sniffled, his eyes still filled with tears. "But it feels so empty without them. I'm scared and all alone."
Kite nodded, understanding the boy's pain. "I know it feels that way now, but you're not alone. You've got their love inside you, and that will never go away. And you'll make new friends along the way—people who will care about you and be there for you."
The boy looked up at Kite, his eyes wide and searching. "Do you really think so? Can I really find friends who won't leave me?"
Kite smiled warmly, reaching out to gently pat the boy's shoulder. "I believe so. Sometimes, we meet people who become like family to us, even if they're not related by blood. And those people can help fill the emptiness, bit by bit."
The boy sniffed again, but the tears seemed to slow. "But what if I can't find them? What if I'm always alone? There's no one in my village who talks to me anymore. They all think I'm a loner crybaby." He closed his eyes. "Not that they're wrong."
Kite shook his head gently, feeling a deep sadness for the boy. "You're not a crybaby. You're just hurting, and it's okay to cry when you're sad. It shows that you care deeply about your family."
The boy opened his eyes, looking at Kite with a glimmer of hope. "Do you really think so? But what if they never come back? What if I'm always alone?"
Kite leaned in closer, his voice filled with compassion. "I know it feels like that now, but things can change. Sometimes, the people we lose are never really gone. They live on in our hearts and memories. And as for your sister, she's trying to become someone who can help and support you even more when she returns. And I'm sure, the Goddess willing, that you will reunite with your friend one day too."
The boy sniffled again, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "But what do I do in the meantime? How do I make the emptiness go away?"
Kite thought for a moment, then smiled warmly. "You find ways to keep their memory alive. You do things that make you happy and make them proud. And you keep believing that you're strong enough to get through this. Maybe you'll even find new friends along the way who will help fill that emptiness."
The boy seemed to consider Kite's words, his expression softening. "You really think there are people who would befriend a crybaby like me?"
Kite nodded. "There are always people out there who will recognize your worth. Sometimes, it just takes time to find them. And sometimes, it takes being brave enough to reach out and show them who you are."
The boy's eyes widened slightly, as if a new thought had occurred to him. "Do you think… do you think I could be as brave as you?"
Kite chuckled softly. "You already are. You just need to believe in yourself. Look at you, you're talking to me and sharing your feelings. That's a kind of bravery too."
The boy managed a small smile. "Thank you, Kite. I'll try to be brave. And I'll try to remember what you said."
Kite beamed. "That's all you can do. And remember, it's okay to feel sad sometimes. Just don't let it stop you from living your life. You won't be alone forever. You're brave, and you're strong. And when you least expect it, you'll find someone who will stand by your side, just like I'm here with you now."
The boy's expression softened, and he seemed to take comfort in Kite's words. "Thank you, Kite. I feel a little better now."
Kite smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I'm glad. Remember, it's okay to feel sad, but don't lose hope. There's always light, even in the darkest places."
As Kite spoke, the dark void around them began to shimmer with a soft, radiant light. The boy's tears dried, and a faint smile appeared on his face. The light grew brighter, illuminating the void and filling it with warmth and hope.
"See?" Kite said, gesturing to the light. "Even here, there's light. And it's because you believed."
The boy looked around in wonder, his fear and sadness melting away. "Thank you, Kite. I won't forget what you said."
Kite nodded, feeling a sense of peace. "You're welcome. And remember, you're never truly alone. There's always someone who cares."
As the light continued to grow, the boy's form began to fade, becoming one with the radiant glow. Kite felt a sense of calm wash over him, and he knew that the boy would be okay.
With a final smile, the boy whispered, "Goodbye, Kite. Thank you for being my friend. Oh, right, my name is~"
Kite watched as the boy disappeared into the light, leaving behind a sense of hope and comfort. The void around him began to dissolve, and Kite felt himself being pulled back to reality. He closed his eyes, holding onto the warmth and light that the boy had brought into the darkness.
His name, he didn't quite catch it, but he did catch the feeling behind it. A name meaning 'peace'. His parents must've adored him.
When Kite opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the ruins, surrounded by his friends. The memory of the boy lingered in his mind, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"Are you okay, Kite?" Sylvana asked, noticing the change in his expression.
Kite nodded, a soft smile on his lips. "Yeah, I am. Let's keep going. There's so much more to discover."
With his friends by his side, Kite felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would uncover the secrets of the past and bring their stories to light, forging a bond that would last a lifetime.
He looked at his sword and wondered why it had brought him to that boy. Was it just to console him, or was there a deeper purpose?
His eyes shifted toward Will. The boy had matched the guy the older boy fought in his dream. Was there something special about him?
Kite smiled. Maybe Will's dream was about that boy's future. One where he grew strong and had plenty of friends.