The wind howled as Amara sprinted up the rocky trail, legs aching, lungs on fire. The map Daichi gave her was clutched tightly in her hand, the ink nearly smudged from sweat and rain.
Crimson Peak loomed ahead—a jagged, weather-beaten fortress carved into the mountainside.
When she reached the outskirts, faces turned toward her. Most just glanced before turning away. No one spoke. No one offered help.
"Please," she begged the third person she stopped. "I'm looking for someone. Her name is Kaida—"
"She's gone."
The voice came from an old man hunched against the wall, sharpening a blade. His eyes didn't even lift to meet Amara's.
"Gone?"
"She left not long ago. Usually stays longer—but today, she stormed out early."
Amara's heart sank.
"I see… thank you."
She probably went back to Eldrida… I have to catch up—before it's too late.
Behind her, a shadow shifted on the rooftop. A tall figure leaned against the ledge, his red scarf fluttering in the wind.
Blaze narrowed his eyes.
That girl… she looks familiar.
***
Daichi's body refused to move, and yet—he moved.
Something shimmered in the air. A silver thread, no thicker than a strand of hair, zipped across the battlefield. It was nearly invisible to the human eye, but Daichi saw it. Not because of training. Not because of instinct.
Because he was a father.
The string raced for Amara's leg—meant to paralyze, to bind her like prey.
Daichi threw himself between.
Shnk.
A sharp, sickening slice through silence.
The thread didn't cut.
It pierced.
Straight into his chest—through skin, bone… and heart.
There was no blood at first. Just a hollow hole, perfectly round, as though etched by a god's cruel hand.
And then—chaos.
Amara screamed.
"No—NO!!"
She collapsed beside him, sobs racking her body. Her hands pressed against the wound, but the blood wouldn't stop. It poured through her fingers like sand slipping through time.
"Don't… don't go, please—!"
Daichi's eyes flickered. His breathing shallow.
"…You're… safe… that's enough…"
"No, it's not!" Amara cried. "Not like this! You promised! You said you'd stay alive no matter what!"
He smiled—weak, but proud.
"Guess I broke my promise… first time for everything."
A bitter laugh left him, barely more than breath.
"Amara… I wanted to apologize. I was the reason they found out about you. It's my fault you're in danger now. I wasn't the father you deserved. I wasn't there when you needed me. But if I leave anything behind… I'm glad it's you."
Amara shook her head violently. "Don't talk like that—!"
"Listen to me." His voice grew fainter, but sharper, like a sword's final glint before breaking. "No matter what happens after this… live. Don't carry my weight. Don't chase revenge. Be more than what the world tried to make you."
She gripped his hand tightly. "I need you…"
"I know." He brushed a hand through her hair, one last time.
"But you'll be alright. Because you're my daughter."
A beat.
Then his lips moved.
Silent words, meant for her alone.
I love you.
And the light in his eyes—
Faded.
Amara screamed.
Something inside her broke—shattered—into a thousand pieces, scattering into the void. The world collapsed inward, sound and light draining all at once.
She couldn't hear the battle anymore. Couldn't feel the rain. Only the hollow ache where her father had been.
Her hands trembled against his chest, trying to hold him together, as if sheer will could defy fate.
But he was already slipping away.
And then the heavens split, torn by a cry not meant for mortals.
A howl tore through the night. Raw, primal, furious.
Kaida crashed down like a falling star, blades already drawn, fury igniting the air around her.
The assassins turned—too late.
Her hand tore through one with terrifying force. The second raised his hands, begging.
"Wait, I—"
She didn't.
Kaida's hand ignited with blue flame. She hurled it like a comet. It struck the assassin, engulfing him in fire and silence.
Only one remained—the leader. The one who ended Daichi's life.
He has already accepted his fate.
Ah, so this is it for me.
A second later, his head hit the ground—fire raging behind him.
When it was over, she stood surrounded by death—her breath heavy, her hands trembling.
The warriors of Eldrida could only watch. Some were scared for their lives, others couldn't stop crying after witnessing Daichi's final moments.
Kaida did not understand where she was or what she was doing. All she saw was black.
"Mother—stop! Please!"
Kaida turned, face still wild, breath ragged. The storm still raged in her eyes.
Amara's voice cracked through the blood-drenched haze. She ran to her. Threw herself into her arms.
And Kaida froze.
The fury melted.
She looked down—at Amara. At Daichi.
She sank to her knees.
"…No."
A silence cracked inside her, deeper than the loudest scream.
She crawled beside him. Fingers brushing his still-warm cheek.
Then, softly—so soft Amara almost missed it—she whispered.
"…Why did it have to be you?"
She sat in silence, long after the battle was done. Amara still crying by her side. The stars above unfeeling.
Kaida looked at what remained of him. Not a warrior. Not a hero. Just Daichi. Her Daichi.
Nothing was processing. How long had she and Amara cried, clinging to his lifeless body? Hours, maybe. But even that wasn't enough. They couldn't stand, couldn't leave. Because the moment they stood… he would be truly gone.
Night fell over Eldrida. The villagers had returned, doing their best to repair the damage. But no one dared approach where Daichi's body still lay. Nobody but Tashi.
Daichi...
You called me a father once. I never deserved it… but gods, I was proud.
He just stood there. He knew there was no amount of words that could offer any ease to a family that lost their man.
***
It had been a few days since the attack.
Kaida and Amara stayed by his side for hours. Eventually, Amara's body gave in. Kaida took her home and properly buried her husband in the place he always loved—his own village.
Today, they held an official funeral. The entire village came to pay their respects.
But Kaida couldn't have felt more empty than she had.
Now, the world stood silent.
And Kaida stood alone.
Daichi, my dear.
I'll never forget you.
You'll always be by my side.
From the moment we met… I knew I'd love you until my last breath.
She smiled, bitter and beautiful.
Even if the stars forget you… I never will.
So keep watching over us, until we meet again.