A hand presses hard on his shoulder, a confused expression meeting with a stunned one.

  [You alright?]

  Silence, disengagement.

  The man’s garments sway slightly as he reaches for the handle of his sword.

  The boy’s eyes widen, throwing himself back as he raises both hands.

  [I don’t want to die!]

  He shouts, kicking away.

  [I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!]

  Gripping his head, he rocks back and forth.

  The movement soon leaves him breathless.

  The man throws his sword to the ground before approaching. Running a hand through his stubble, he crouches down, his dark-brown hair swaying through. His vampire brown eyes meet his black ones.

  [Hey. It’s all right. Listen. I’ll take you to the nearest village from here. Aight?]

  The boy’s lips quiver.

  [Am I safe?]

  [You are, I promise. May I know your name?]

  [… Hinozu.]

  The man raises an eyebrow, leaning his ear forward.

  [I’m sorry, can you say it again?]

  [I’m… I’m Hinozu.]

  [Hinochu, alright. Never heard that name before. Uh, I’m Kanell. Now come on, let’s take you to a safer place.]

  [You said it was safe here.]

  He replies immediately.

  Kanell stands up, sighing deeply.

  [Safe for someone who’s… in a well-enough mental state. Get on the horse.]

  He walks up to the horse, getting on the saddle before waiting for Hinozu.

  The boy hesitates before standing up, walking clumsily to him as the stones press against his toes. He fumbles a few times before mounting with Kanell’s help.

  The horse starts trotting as it travels through the grassland.

  [So, what happened? It’s not every day I find a lost person in the middle of nowhere. Especially someone who’s not from here.]

  Hinozu’s breath hitches.

  [H-how do you know I’m not from…?]

  [Just by looking at you. Your clothes, I mean. Where are you from?]

  [I…]

  He mutters before going silent. Kanell looks up to the sky, squinting his eyes at the sun glaring above.

  [It’s midday already… about time.]

  Kanell presses his heels gently against the horse’s sides, letting go as it speeds up. Hinozu grabs the man’s shoulders, gripping with force.

  As the horse gallops for a few minutes, Kanell guides it through a dirt road. Just ahead, a few simple houses can be seen, surrounded by posts. In the far end, a tower reaches high, glimmering at the top.

  [Is… it here?]

  Hinozu asks, letting go of the man’s shoulders as the horse slows down. Kanell shakes his head. They stop near a stone house.

  [Not really. I’ve got something to do, can you wait for me here?]

  His gaze travels back as he turns, searching for confirmation. Hinozu shakes his head slowly, eyes fixed on the ground.

  [Alright then… I’ll take you with me. Follow me.]

  Getting off, he grabs the reins of the horse, tying them to a nearby post while the boy slides off wearily.

  Whistling a tune as he finishes, the man signals for Hinozu to follow.

  Stepping through the dirt road, they stop in front of a house made entirely of wood, except for the base. A soft sound can be heard from the inside.

  Kanell knocks on the door before sliding it open. Then, he enters, stepping aside for Hinozu.

  The boy walks over to the door, pressing a hand against the frame.

  Dust creeps up his nostrils, the dimly lit room uncomfortable to his vision.

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  Gazes snap to him.

  Chests are spread throughout the room. A simple table stands in the middle, a map spread on it.

  [Who’s this, Kanell?]

  A young woman approaches from the table. Her raven black hair flows freely, amber eyes fixed on the man.

  [He’s lost. Figured we’d drop him off somewhere nearby.]

  [To what place?]

  A tall man stands up from a chest, his face covered with a wooden mask.

  The young woman walks up to Hinozu, raising a hand. Hinozu flinches, stepping back.

  [Relax. It’s just a handshake.]

  After a short while of waiting, she decides to lower her hand. Kanell bites his tongue, trying to hide his smile.

  [Alice. Will you tell me your name?]

  She tilts her head.

  [Hinozu.]

  A soft smile appears on her face, disappearing as her gaze meets Kanell’s.

  [Where’s your sword?]

  [Left it somewhere. The boy could’ve been scared if not.]

  [He really is akin to a stray cat.]

  The tall man chuckles, stepping towards the door frame.

  [So, where do we drop him off?]

  Kanell: [We’ll just follow the map. Find a village or something along the way.]

  Alice: [About that, I need to talk to you for a moment, Kanell.]

  Patting Hinozu’s shoulder, he follows Alice to a small storage room, closing the door behind him.

  The man leans against a wall, gazing as Alice paces around the small space.

  [Listen. Who told you it was a good idea to bring an unknown person here?]

  [Empathy, I guess. If it had been someone else, I would’ve told you. I swear. But he… I don’t know. He looked distressed, like he saw death or something.]

  [Right. And you threw your sword in the middle of nowhere, so now only Alfie and I have a way of protecting ourselves. And not one, but two liabilities who can’t fight.]

  [We can go back if—]

  [Too risky. Imagine a traveler sees us. Only a certain kind of people would take their sword back, and we don’t want to be associated with them. For now, at least.]

  She halts, pursing her lips.

  [We’ll need to stop at Leisa.]

  The man crosses his arms, dumbfounded.

  [Leisa? Why? Thought we’d avoid cities, however small.]

  [Received a letter from the Order. I’m not even allowed to tell you.]

  Kanell ponders for a minute, eyes closing unconsciously. He sighs, stepping away from the wall.

  [Okay. Alright. So… okay. Let’s, uh, check up on the boy.]

  Alice nods, opening the door. They see Alfie sitting on a chest.

  Alone.

  Kanell searches around the room, growing nervous at Hinozu’s absence.

  [Hey, Alfred. Where’s the young man?]

  [He requested fresh air to clear his mind. I granted it to him.]

  Alice: [Should’ve kept an eye on him. Kanell, go search for him.]

  Kanell: [I know.]

  He walks out of the building, gazing around. Ahead, out of town, a figure can be seen.

  Kanell mounts his horse, riding towards the silhouette. Sweat rolls down his face as he takes off a coat.

  [Hey!]

  He shouts, reining in the horse. He sees the boy walking aimlessly, his gaze fixed ahead. Kanell brings the horse in front of him.

  Hinozu stops, gazing at him.

  [Why the hell are you wandering off? It’s really dangerous for you. Get on the horse, let’s take you back.]

  Kanell watches as the boy steps around, still walking despite his words.

  [Where are you even supposed to go?]

  He jumps off the horse, ignoring its neighing as he grabs Hinozu by the arm. A cut bleeds on his forearm.

  [See? You got injured already. Listen… Don’t make this harder for both of us.]

  He sighs deeply. Reaching for his water skin, he washes the cut down with water before letting go of him.

  [I’ll talk to Alice. Maybe we can head out right now. Alright?]

  Guiding him to the horse, he gets on it, stretching a hand out for the boy.

  [Here, let me help you.]

  Hinozu’s face lights up as he clasps the man’s hand between his.

  [Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!]

  A wide grin appears on his face. Kanell sighs, helping him sit.

  [You’re in a worse condition than I thought…]

  The horse trots back to the village, neighing several times throughout.

  Alice waits outside the building.

  [Did he—]

  [Listen, Alice.]

  [What?]

  [The sun’s still up. Why don’t we head out right now?]

  The young woman parts her lips, closing them shortly after. Her gaze travels to Hinozu, a blank expression on his face.

  [Alright. I’ll ask Alfie to get the horses.]

  [Thanks.]

  She turns, entering the house. After a short while, she appears from the back, riding on a black horse.

  [Alfred’s getting his. Said there’s no need to wait for him.]

  Kanell nods.

  [Alright. Let’s go, then.]

  Alice spurs her horse, riding through the village before stopping in front of the stone tower.

  Kanell stops just behind, drinking water from his water skin before offering it to Hinozu. The boy grabs it before dropping the object absentmindedly, earning an irritated expression from Kanell.

  The young woman clasps her hands together, pressing them hard against her forehead. Just as she starts to shake, she lets go, exhaling slowly.

  [May the Zenith’s Divine guide us.]

  Steering her horse, she continues through the dirt road, with the man following closely.

  [I know what you’re about to say.]

  [Really?]

  She smiles as the horses canter out of the village, pacing through the grassland. Kanell’s gaze sets on some hills afar.

  [I still don’t understand why you pray to that… thing.]

  [It’s really obvious. It provides the believers with light and guidance. Purpose in life.]

  [I’ve got all those things, yet it doesn’t seem like I worship it.]

  [Kindness has no boundaries, especially for—]

  [Whatever. I’m surprised Alfie hasn’t caught up to us.]

  He glances back, seeing nothing but grass, flowers, and bushes throughout, as well as the village.

  [He’ll do, soon. You know how he is.]

  After a while, the smell of smoke reaches their nostrils, followed by a loud neigh behind. They turn, spotting Alfie galloping towards them. The village burns behind, buildings crumbling to the fire.

  Alfie: [It is done.]

  Alice: [Well done. I don’t need to worry about the tower, though, do I?]

  Alice meets Alfie’s gaze as she narrows her eyes.

  [Not at all. It’s made of stone, after all.]

  [That’s not the issue. Fire shouldn’t touch it.]

  Alfie sighs, galloping forward on his horse as he leaves them behind. Kanell glances back at Hinozu before following Alice.

  [What do we do with the boy?]

  [You brought him here.]

  [I know, but listen.]

  He leans towards Alice, gripping the reins tightly before whispering.

  [I don’t think we can leave him alone in whatever village.]

  [Why not?]

  She says out loud. Kanell straightens up as he sighs, focusing on his trotting horse.

  [He can’t even think straight. Even now, we’re talking about him, and I’m sure he’s got the blankest expression ever. Am I right?]

  Alice turns her head, scanning through Hinozu’s expression.

  [Pretty much. It’s a shame. Wonder what happened to him.]

  [Maybe a slave from another land. Escaped and arrived here by some miracle.]

  [There are no borders nearby. Even Alfie came from thousands of kilometres away, from the desert.]

  Alfie nods, crossing his arms.

  [Well, you don’t know what a slave will do for freedom.]

  Alice clicks her tongue, furrowing her brows in confusion.

  [I’m still skeptical. Plus, the clothes he wears, they’re unlike anything I’ve seen.]

  [Yeah, I know. Listen, I’ve got someone I know in Leisa. Maybe I’ll ask for help.]

  [Okay. Now please, don’t bother me with what should be your problem.]

  Voicing a word, she commands the horse to gallop. Kanell stops for a minute, gazing at a single tree standing far to his left.

  [Do you think we should’ve burned the village down? I mean…]

  [I guess…]

  [There’s too much distrust and apathy around.]

  [I hope you’ll manage to live through it, Hinochu. Because I really can’t.]

  Hearing no response, he spurs the horse.

  Loping through the land.